The Correlation Between Filling Pressure, Cardiac Output and Plasma Copeptin in Patients With Systolic Heart Failure

The Correlation Between Filling Pressure, Cardiac Output and Plasma Copeptin in Patients With Systolic Heart Failure

The relationship between the activation of the vasopressin system and central hemodynamics in heart failure (including right and left heart filling pressures and cardiac output) is not clear. The investigators intend to examine the correlation between levels of copeptin and vasopressin and the central hemodynamic system in patients with advanced (class III or IV) heart failure. The investigators also aim to examine the relationship of selected cardiac biomarkers in blood and urine with cardiac filling pressures and cardiac output in patients with decompensated heart failure.

The study population will consist of 30 patients admitted to the Department of Cardiology at Copenhagen University Hospital. Only patients for whom the attending cardiologist has already decided upon right heart catheterization for clinical/treatment reasons will be recruited for the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age > 18 years
2. Left ventricular ejection fraction < 40 %
3. Diagnosed symptomatic heart failure treated with heart failure medications for at least 30 days.
4. Clinical indication for right heart catheterization for clinical/treatment reasons
5. NYHA-class III-IV
6. Relevant heart failure treatment as tolerated by the patient

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Absence of clinical/treatment indication of right heart catheterization
2. Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of ADH (SIADH)
3. Recent acute myocardial infarction within the last 30 days
4. Presence of infection or inflammatory disease
5. Malignant disease
6. Pregnancy
7. Subjects unwilling or unable to provide written consent