Heart failure is a syndrome affecting not only the heart, but in fact all the
organs and systems of the body. Therefore, common serum laboratory variables, such
as creatinine, play an important role in diagnosis and follow-up of specific organ
dysfunction in heart failure. Actually, treatment is tailored according to these variables.
More recently, natriuretic peptides were suggested as a valuable tool for the diagnosis
of acute and chronic heart failure, substituting echocardiography at the emergency
department. Furthermore, these peptides are used for the prognosis of heart failure
patients. Many newer biochemical markers related to a variety of pathophysiological
processes, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, remodeling of the extracellular
matrix and neurohormones, have been investigated in the past few years. Some of them
have shown promising characteristics, not only as diagnostic tools, but also as potential
treatment targets. Finally, manipulation of genes via micro-RNAs has emerged as a
vast new era in the understanding and treatment of heart failure. In this chapter, the
majority of laboratory variables and biochemical markers used in heart failure will be
discussed. Moreover, information will be given for the clinical benefits of an integrated
approach in the management of heart failure patients. Latest advances regarding novel
biomarkers will be also presented.
Keywords: Biomarker, Cystatin-C, Galectin-3, Heart failure, Interleukin-1β,
Micro-RNAs, Natriuretic peptide, NGAL, Osteopontin, Prolactin, ST2.
