Prognostic value of plasma apelin concentrations at admission in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The use of plasma biomarkers is relevant for the prognosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Apelin, an adipocytokine, plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of both ischemia/reperfusion injury and its potential subsequent heart failure. We evaluated apelin concentrations at admission as a biomarker to assess risk of 6-month mortality.

METHODS: Consecutive patients with STEMI were recruited from January 2012 to January 2013 (n=250). Plasma apelin, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and sensitive troponin I (sTnI) were assessed in EDTA-plasma samples obtained at admission. Clinical, hemodynamic and other laboratory variables were also registered. All-cause mortality was assessed at 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS: Increased plasma apelin concentrations at admission were predictive of 6- month mortality, after adjustment for age, diabetes, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, glomerular filtration rate, Killip class, left ventricular ejection fraction, BNP and sTnI. The combination of apelin with BNP and sTnI further improved the apelin predictive value. Finally, apelin concentrations were associated with markers of ischemic heart failure severity, but not with markers of ischemic insult severity.

CONCLUSIONS: Increased plasma concentrations of apelin at admission in patients with STEMI were associated with a higher risk of mortality at 6months, adding prognostic value to the provided by BNP. Moreover, apelin levels were also related to markers of ischemic heart failure severity, but not markers of ischemia severity.