The purpose of this study is to establish the various ranges of proteins that can be assayed in the plasma and urine from hospitalized patients with all classes of heart failure and/or STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction)/NSTEMI (Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction), as well as history reviews.

Schematic Design of the Study: Single blood draw, one random urine and 24-hr urine collection from hospitalized patients with chronic/acute heart failure and/or STEMI-NSTEMI. If there should be a subsequent hospitalization,another collection of a 45 ml blood sample, random urine and one 24-hour urine collection may be completed if indicated at initial hospitalization.

Aims:

The purpose of this study is to attempt to establish the various ranges of proteins that can be assayed from the plasma and urine of patients with all classes of heart failure and MI (myocardial infarction). Follow-up hospitalizations may result in another 45 ml blood draw, random urine and 24-hr. urine collection to evaluate the outcome of the heart failure treatment used with the previous hospitalization, if indicated in consent. A history review will be necessary as well.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of Acute decompensated heart failure

Exclusion Criteria:

• Hemoglobin less than 10, active cancer, or amyloidosis Patient with dialysis

Eight Hundred HF patients hospitalized for symptomatic HF at Mayo Clinic Hospital - St Mary's Campus, Rochester, Minnesota