Predictive value of plasma copeptin level for the risk and mortality of heart failure: a meta-analysis

Glutamate infusion associated with reduced rises of p-Copeptin after coronary surgery: Substudy of GLUTAMICS II

BACKGROUND

Glutamate plays a key role for post-ischaemic recovery of myocardial metabolism. According to post hoc analyses of the two GLUTAMICS trials, patients without diabetes benefit from glutamate with less myocardial dysfunction after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Copeptin reflects activation of the Arginine Vasopressin system and is a reliable marker of heart failure but available studies in cardiac surgery are limited. We investigated whether glutamate infusion is associated with reduced postoperative rises of plasma Copeptin (p-Copeptin) after CABG.

METHODS

A prespecified randomised double-blind substudy of GLUTAMICS II. Patients had left ventricular ejection fraction ≤0.30 or EuroSCORE II ≥3.0 and underwent CABG ± valve procedure. Intravenous infusion of 0.125 M L-glutamic acid or saline at 1.65 mL/kg/h was commenced 10-20 min before the release of the aortic cross-clamp and then continued for another 150 min P-Copeptin was measured preoperatively and postoperatively on day one (POD1) and day three. The primary endpoint was an increase in p-Copeptin from the preoperative level to POD1. Postoperative stroke ≤24 h and mortality ≤30 days were safety outcomes.

RESULTS

We included 181 patients of whom 48% had diabetes. The incidence of postoperative mortality ≤30 days (0% vs. 2.1%; p = .50) and stroke ≤24 h (0% vs. 3.2%; p = .25) did not differ between the glutamate group and controls. P-Copeptin increased postoperatively with the highest values recorded on POD1 without significant inter-group differences. Among patients without diabetes, p-Copeptin did not differ preoperatively but postoperative rise from preoperative level to POD1 was significantly reduced in the glutamate group (73 ± 66 vs. 115 ± 102 pmol/L; p = .02). P-Copeptin was significantly lower in the Glutamate group on POD1 (p = .02) and POD 3 (p = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Glutamate did not reduce rises of p-Copeptin significantly after moderate to high-risk CABG. However, glutamate was associated with reduced rises of p-Copeptin among patients without diabetes. These results agree with previous observations suggesting that glutamate mitigates myocardial dysfunction after CABG in patients without diabetes. Given the exploratory nature of these findings, they need to be confirmed in future studies.

Copeptin Reflect Left Ventricular Systolic Function at Early Stage of Acute Myocardial Infarction in a Pig Model

Introduction

Measurement of biomarkers early after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) might provide a cost-effective and widely available tool to assess infarct severity, myocardial dysfunction, and clinical outcomes. We aimed to induce AMI in miniature pigs, measure the levels of serum biomarkers and global LV function dynamically and explore the release kinetics and optimal sampling time points of copeptin and its correlation with global LV function.

Methods

We induced AMI in the experimental group using a closed-chest model. Left ventricular (LV) function was detected by dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) and serum copeptin was determined by ELISA.

Results

The serum copeptin levels were increased at 1 hour, peaked at 3 hours, gradually decreased after 6 hours, and returned to baseline 3 days after AMI. At 3 to 6 hours, the copeptin cutoff of 16.97 to 17.44 pmol/l had 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity (P ⩽ .001) for AMI. Serum copeptin levels at 3 hours and 3 days were negatively correlated with the 3-hours LVEF (P ⩽ .001), respectively.

Conclusion

Serum copeptin levels change in time, and measurements at 3 to 6 hours after AMI had the highest predictive value.

Diagnostic accuracy of copeptin and NT-proBNP level in predicting mortality and postoperative prognosis in coronary surgery with respect to EuroSCORE risk

Introduction

During the last few years, many modifications in risk stratification of all cardiac surgical patients have been reported based on EuroSCORE.

Aim

In this study we aimed to interpret copeptin and NT-proBNP levels in patients who had undergone coronary surgery with respect to EuroSCORE.

Material and methods

We investigated the correlation between pre-operative copeptin and NT-proBNP levels with respect to mortality and post-operative complications via EuroSCORE II in the 484 enrolled patients. In terms of analyzing mortality the first 30 days were taken into account and duration of hospital stay was considered for prognosis. The statistical significance of copeptin and NT-proBNP with respect to EuroSCORE II ≥ 2 was studied.

Results

The critical threshold levels of mortality for NT-proBNP was 1296 pg/ml and for copeptin was 116 pmol/l in patients whose EuroSCORE II ≥ 2. Mortality increases 9.04-fold in cases with EuroSCORE ≥ 2, 5.04-fold when NT-proBNP level is > 1296 pg/ml. A dramatic outcome was observed in copeptin levels as mortality increased 138.17-fold when copeptin was > 116 pmol/l.

Conclusions

Increased levels of copeptin and NT-proBNP negatively affect mortality and complication rates in isolated cardiac surgery patients.

Attuali applicazioni della determinazione dei livelli plasmatici di copeptina in contesti non-endocrinologici

Copeptina (CT-proAVP) rappresenta l’affidabile marker di secrezione dell’arginin-vasopressina (AVP) e nella pratica clinica endocrinologica viene impiegata per la diagnosi differenziale della sindrome poliurica-polidipsica. Negli ultimi anni, tuttavia, sono state indagate applicazioni alternative di tale glicopeptide in setting differenti. In questa rassegna sono esaminate, in particolare, le sue più interessanti proposte di utilizzo in ambito cardiovascolare, infettivologico e nefrologico.

Advances in congestive heart failure biomarkers

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly worldwide. Although many biomarkers associated with in heart failure, these are generally prognostic and identify patients with moderate and severe disease. Unfortunately, the role of biomarkers in decision making for early and advanced heart failure remains largely unexplored. Previous studies suggest the natriuretic peptides have the potential to improve the diagnosis of heart failure, but they still have significant limitations related to cut-off values. Although some promising cardiac biomarkers have emerged, comprehensive data from large cohort studies is lacking. The utility of multiple biomarkers that reflect various pathophysiologic pathways are increasingly being explored in heart failure risk stratification and to diagnose disease conditions promptly and accurately. MicroRNAs serve as mediators and/or regulators of renin-angiotensin-induced cardiac remodeling by directly targeting enzymes, receptors and signaling molecules. The role of miRNA in HF diagnosis is a promising area of research and further exploration may offer both diagnostic and prognostic applications and phenotype-specific targets. In this review, we provide insight into the classification of different biochemical and molecular markers associated with CHF, examine clinical usefulness in CHF and highlight the most clinically relevant.

Association between Copeptin and Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Background

Copeptin, a reliable marker for vasopressin release, has been associated with cardiometabolic diseases including metabolic syndrome (MetS). This systematic review aims to evaluate the association between copeptin and MetS.

Methods

We searched in Pubmed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases until March 2021 and included observational studies (cohort studies, cross-sectional, and case-control) reporting the risk or prevalence of having MetS in patients with elevated copeptin levels compared to patients without elevated copeptin levels. The risk of bias was evaluated with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis was not performed because of the heterogeneity of the copeptin cut-off values.

Results

A total of 7 studies (5 cross-sectional, 1 case-control, and 1 cohort) were included comprising 11,699 participants. Most of them were performed in the adult general population. Two cross-sectional and one case-control studies found a positive significant association between higher levels of copeptin and MetS. While three cross-sectional and one cohort studies found no association. The case-control study had several methodological limitations, most cross-sectional studies were methodologically adequate and the cohort study had no methodological issues.

Conclusions

The association between copeptin and MetS is inconsistent. However, the arginine-vasopressin system impairment contributes to metabolic disorders, expressing plasma copeptin changes. Thus, more longitudinal studies are required to corroborate the association of copeptin and MetS.

Role of copeptin in diagnosis and outcome prediction in patients with heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: This systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 studies, was conducted to evaluate the role of copeptin in diagnosis and outcome prediction in HF patients. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search for clinical trials reporting copeptin levels in HF patients was performed using EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar. Articles from databases published by January 2nd, 2022, that met the selection criteria were retrieved and reviewed. The random effects model was used for analyses. Results: Pooled analysis found higher mean copeptin levels in HF vs. non-HF populations (43.6 ± 46.4 vs. 21.4 ± 21.4; MD= 20.48; 95%CI: 9.22 to 31.74; p < 0.001). Pooled analysis of copeptin concentrations stratified by ejection fraction showed higher concentrations in HFrEF vs. HFpEF (17.4 ± 7.1 vs. 10.1 ± 5.5; MD= -4.69; 95%CI: -7.58 to -1.81; p = 0.001). Copeptin level was higher in patients with mortality/acute HF-related hospitalization vs. stable patients (31.3 ± 23.7 vs. 20.4 ± 12.8; MD= -13.06; 95%CI: -25.28 to -0.84; p = 0.04). Higher copeptin concentrations were associated with mortality and observed in all follow-up periods (p <0.05). Discussion and Conclusions: Present meta-analysis showed that elevated copeptin plasma concentrations observed in HF patients are associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, thus copeptin may serve as predictor of outcome in HF.

Copeptin as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker in Cardiovascular Diseases

Copeptin is the carboxyl-terminus of the arginine vasopressin (AVP) precursor peptide. The main physiological functions of AVP are fluid and osmotic balance, cardiovascular homeostasis, and regulation of endocrine stress response. Copeptin, which is released in an equimolar mode with AVP from the neurohypophysis, has emerged as a stable and simple-to-measure surrogate marker of AVP and has displayed enormous potential in clinical practice. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is currently recognized as a primary threat to the health of the population worldwide, and thus, rapid and effective approaches to identify individuals that are at high risk of, or have already developed CVD are required. Copeptin is a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in CVD, including the rapid rule-out of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), mortality prediction in heart failure (HF), and stroke. This review summarizes and discusses the value of copeptin in the diagnosis, discrimination, and prognosis of CVD (AMI, HF, and stroke), as well as the caveats and prospects for the application of this potential biomarker.

The correlation of cardiac biomarkers and myocardial iron overload based on T2* MRI in major beta-thalassemia

Cardiac hemosiderosis is the primary factor to derive the pathogenesis of cardiac dysfunction in patients with transfusion dependent thalassemia. Biomarkers assessment along with T2 * MRI study could be employed to evaluate the severity of iron deposition-related damage and determination of the diagnostic and prognostic value of these inflammatory factors. The study was conducted on 62 patients (12-44 years old) with major thalassemia. The patients were under regular blood transfusion and they had no signs of cardiac defects, and chronic diseases. The serum levels of inflammatory factors (NT-proBNP, CRP, Copeptin HS) were determined before routine transfusion. Cardiac iron overload was assessed by T2* MRI (within the last three months), and T2* lower than 20 ms was considered as cardiac siderosis. The obtained results were analyzed using statistical methods. 92% of patients showed an increased level of hs-CRP (> 2 µg/dL). All cases showed increased levels of NT-proBNP (> 150 pg/mL). Only 29% of subjects showed high level of Copeptin, 25.8% of patients demonstrated cardiac siderosis based on the T2* MRI (< 20 ms) results. The serum levels of inflammatory factors were not significantly correlated with cardiac siderosis. Given the obtained results, it could be deduced that the serum levels of inflammatory factors could not be exploited for early detection of cardiac siderosis in major beta-thalassemia patients.

Water - A life-giving toxin - A nephrological oxymoron. Health consequences of water and sodium balance disorders. A review article

BACKGROUND

This article aims to reveal misconceptions about methods of assessment of hydration status and impact of the water disorders on the progression of kidney disease or renal dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PubMed database was searched for reviews, meta-analyses and original articles on hydration, volume depletion, fluid overload and diagnostic methods of hydration status, which were published in English.

RESULTS

Based on the results of available literature the relationship between the amount of fluid consumed, and the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, and kidney stones disease was discussed. Selected aspects of the assessment of the hydration level in clinical practice based on physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging are presented. The subject of in-hospital fluid therapy is discussed. Based on available randomized studies, an attempt was made to assess, which fluids should be selected for intravenous treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

There is some evidence for the beneficial effect of increased water intake in preventing recurrent cystitis and kidney stones, but there are still no convincing data for chronic kidney disease and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Further studies are needed to clarify the aforementioned issues and establish a reliable way to assess the volemia and perform suitable fluid therapy.

Copeptin in fluid disorders and stress

Copeptin, a glycosylated peptide of 39 amino acids, is the C-terminal segment of arginine vasopressin (AVP) precursor peptide, which is consisted of two other fragments, vasopressin and neurophysin Ⅱ. The main physiological functions of AVP are fluid and osmotic balance, cardiovascular homeostasis and regulation of the endocrine stress response. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the endogenous AVP in plasma is a meaningful biomarker to guide diagnosis and therapy of diseases associated with fluids disorders and stress. However, due to its instability, short half-time life in circulation and lack of readily available AVP assays, clinical measurement of AVP is restricted. In contrast to AVP, copeptin which is released in an equimolar mode with AVP from the pituitary, has emerged as a stable and simple-to-measure surrogate marker of AVP and displays excellent potential in diagnosis, differentiation and prognosis of various diseases. This review will discuss the studies on the clinical value of copeptin in different diseases, especially in AVP-dependent fluids disorders, as well as issues and prospects of the application of this potential biomarker.

Endocrine system dysfunction and chronic heart failure: a clinical perspective

Chronic heart failure (CHF) leads to an excess of urgent ambulatory visits, recurrent hospital admissions, morbidity, and mortality regardless of medical and non-medical management of the disease. This excess of risk may be attributable, at least in part, to comorbid conditions influencing the development and progression of CHF. In this perspective, the authors examined and described the most common endocrine disorders observed in patients with CHF, particularly in individuals with reduced ejection fraction, aiming to qualify the risks, quantify the epidemiological burden and discuss about the potential role of endocrine treatment. Thyroid dysfunction is commonly observed in patients with CHF, and sometimes it could be the consequence of certain medications (e.g., amiodarone). Male and female hypogonadism may also coexist in this clinical context, contributing to deteriorating the prognosis of these patients. Furthermore, growth hormone deficiency may affect the development of adult myocardium and predispose to CHF. Limited recommendation suggests to screen endocrine disorders in CHF patients, but it could be interesting to evaluate possible endocrine dysfunction in this setting, especially when a high suspicion coexists. Data referring to long-term safety and effectiveness of endocrine treatments in patients with CHF are limited, and their impact on several "hard" endpoints (such as hospital admission, all-cause, and cardiovascular mortality) are still poorly understood.

Copeptin as a marker of atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis

Background and aims

The precursor peptide of vasopressin, copeptin, has previously been linked to increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease and cardiovascular mortality. Whether elevated copeptin is associated with markers of atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis in the general population is not known.

Methods

In this population-based, cross-sectional study, coronary artery calcium score (CACS), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (c-f PWV) and fasting plasma copeptin were measured in 5303 individuals in the Swedish cardiopulmonary bioimage study (SCAPIS). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the associations between copeptin and high CACS (>100) and high c-f PWV (>10 m/s), respectively.

Results

The number of individuals with high CACS and c-f PWV increased across increasing tertile of copeptin (11.7%, 13.3% and 16.3% for CACS and 6.9%, 8.5% and 10.6% for c-f PWV). The top tertile of copeptin was, compared with reference tertile 1, significantly associated with both high CACS and high c-f PWV after adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, HDL, triglycerides, BMI, smoking status, creatinine and high sensitive CRP with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.260 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.022–1.555) for CACS and OR 1.389 (95% CI: 1.069–1.807) for PWV.

Conclusions

Copeptin is associated with both coronary atherosclerosis and increased arterial stiffness in the general population. Our data indicates that copeptin may be a useful marker in the assessment of cardiovascular risk.

Copeptin reliably reflects longitudinal right ventricular function

BACKGROUND

Data is limited evaluating novel biomarkers in right ventricular dysfunction. Normal right heart function improves the prognosis of patients with heart failure. Therefore, this study investigates the association between the novel biomarker copeptin and right heart function compared to NT-proBNP.

METHODS

Patients undergoing routine echocardiography were enrolled prospectively. Right ventricular function was assessed by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and further right ventricular and atrial parameters. Exclusion criteria were age under 18 years, left ventricular ejection fraction < 50% and moderate to severe valvular heart disease. Blood samples were taken for biomarker measurements within 72 h of echocardiography.

RESULTS

Ninety-one patients were included. Median values of copeptin increased significantly according to decreasing values of TAPSE (P = 0.001; right heart function grade I: tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion; TAPSE > 24 mm: 5.20 pmol/L; grade II: TAPSE 18-24 mm: 8.10 pmol/L; grade III: TAPSE < 18 mm: 26.50 pmol/L). Copeptin concentrations were able to discriminate patients with decreased right heart function defined as TAPSE < 18 mm (area under the curves [AUC]: copeptin: 0.793; P = 0.001; NT-proBNP: 0.805; P = 0.0001). Within a multivariable linear regression model, copeptin was independently associated with TAPSE (copeptin: T: -4.43; P = 0.0001; NT-proBNP: T: -1.21; P = 0.23). Finally, copeptin concentrations were significantly associated with severely reduced right heart function (TAPSE < 18 mm) within a multivariate logistic regression model (copeptin: odds ratio: 0.94; 95% confidence interval: 0.911-0.975; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that the novel biomarker copeptin reflects longitudinal right heart function assessed by standardized transthoracic echocardiography compared with NT-proBNP.

Biomarkers in heart failure: the past, current and future

Despite the enhanced knowledge of the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF), it still remains a serious syndrome with substantial morbidity, mortality, and frequent hospitalizations. These are due to the current improvements in other cardiovascular diseases (like myocardial infarction), the aging population, and growing prevalence of comorbidities. Biomarker-guided management has brought a new dimension in prognostication, diagnosis, and therapy options. Following the recommendation of natriuretic peptides (B-type natriuretic peptide and N-terminal-proBNP), many other biomarkers have been thoroughly studied to reflect different pathophysiological processes (such as fibrosis, inflammation, myocardial injury, and remodeling) in HF and some of them (like cardiac troponins, soluble suppression of tumorigenesis-2, and galectin 3) have subsequently been recommended to aid in the diagnosis and prognostication in HF. Consequently, multi-marker approach has also been approved owing to the varied nature of HF syndrome. In this review, we discussed the guidelines available for HF biomarkers, procedures for evaluating novel markers, and the utilities of both emerging and established biomarkers for risk stratification, diagnosis, and management of HF in the clinics. We later looked at how the rapidly emerging field-OMICs, can help transform HF biomarkers discoveries and establishment.

Underhydration Is Associated with Obesity, Chronic Diseases, and Death Within 3 to 6 Years in the U.S. Population Aged 51-70 Years

Nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) indicate that over 65% of adults aged 51–70 years in the U.S. do not meet hydration criteria. They have hyponatremia (serum sodium < 135 mmol/L) and/or underhydration (serum sodium >145 mmol/L, spot urine volume <50 mL, and/or spot urine osmolality ≥500 mmol/kg). To explore potential public health implications of not meeting hydration criteria, data from the NHANES 2009–2012 and National Center for Health Statistics Linked Mortality Files for fasting adults aged 51–70 years (sample n = 1200) were used to determine if hyponatremia and/or underhydration were cross-sectionally associated with chronic health conditions and/or longitudinally associated with chronic disease mortality. Underhydration accounted for 97% of the population group not meeting hydration criteria. In weighted multivariable adjusted Poisson models, underhydration was significantly associated with increased prevalence of obesity, high waist circumference, insulin resistance, diabetes, low HDL, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Over 3–6 years of follow-up, 33 chronic disease deaths occurred in the sample, representing an estimated 1,084,144 deaths in the U.S. Alongside chronic health conditions, underhydration was a risk factor for an estimated 863,305 deaths. Independent of the chronic health conditions evaluated, underhydration was a risk factor for 128,107 deaths. In weighted multivariable Cox models, underhydration was associated with 4.21 times greater chronic disease mortality (95% CI: 1.29–13.78, p = 0.019). Zero chronic disease deaths were observed for people who met the hydration criteria and did not already have a chronic condition in 2009–2012. Further work should consider effects of underhydration on population health.

Copeptin – a biomarker of short-term mortality risk (7 days) in patients with end-stage liver disease

Background

For many patients with end-stage liver disease, liver transplantation represents the only curative therapy. Transplant recipients are scored and ranked using the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD/MELD-Na). Circulatory impairment is known to deteriorate outcomes; however, it is not incorporated into the current allocation system’s score. The aim of our study is to analyze the predictive value of copeptin as a biomarker of circulatory impairment and increased short-term mortality risk in patients with end-stage liver disease.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective observational study of 615 patients with end-stage liver disease. Patients were recruited using assessments performed during the evaluation process for liver transplantation. Copeptin values were analyzed in comparison to MELD-Na, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Results

Elevated levels of copeptin, IL-6 and CRP, as well as high MELD-Na scores, were significantly correlated with mortality. In a comparison of copeptin-tertiles, patients in group T3 (16.3 pmol/L or more) showed a significantly higher mortality risk (hazard ratio 11.2, p < 0.001). After adjusting for MELD-Na, copeptin remains an independent predictor of mortality. It shows its greatest prognostic strength in short-term mortality, where it performs comparable to MELD-Na (AUROC for 7 day-mortality, 0.941/0.939; p = 0.981) and shows an additional predictive value to MELD-Na for short-term mortality (7 days, p: 0.046; 30 days, p: 0.006).

Conclusions

Copeptin presents a valuable individual biomarker in detecting patients at risk for short-term mortality. Further studies should be performed to confirm our findings.

Commenting on “Prognostic and diagnostic significance of copeptin in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute heart failure: data from ACE 2 study” by Jacob A. Winther and colleagues

We would like to comment on the article entitled “Prognostic and diagnostic significance of copeptin in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute heart failure: data from ACE 2 study” by Jacob A. Winther and colleagues, in the light of the results of a multicentric study published in 2014 by Vetrone F. et al., in which 336 patients with dyspnea were enrolled in the Emergency Departments of three University Hospitals in Italy.

These two studies confirm the prognostic role of copeptin in patients with dyspnea due to heart failure but, while Winther et al. performed the copeptin measurements only at admission, Vetrone et al. evaluated the time-course of copeptin plasma concentration from the admission to the hospital discharge. The results showed a better performance of copeptin measured at discharge as prognostic biomarker compared to copeptin at hospital admission; similarly, a lower reduction or an increase in copeptin concentration from admission to discharge was a strong prognostic predictor of unfavorable outcome. In our opinion this is a very important result, opening new perspectives for the use of copeptin as prognostic marker in HF patients.

Circulating Biomarkers in Heart Failure

Biological markers have served for diagnosis, risk stratification and guided therapy of heart failure (HF). Our knowledge regarding abilities of biomarkers to relate to several pathways of HF pathogenesis and reflect clinical worsening or improvement in the disease is steadily expanding. Although there are numerous clinical guidelines, which clearly diagnosis, prevention and evidence-based treatment of HF, a strategy regarding exclusion of HF, as well as risk stratification of HF, nature evolution of disease is not well established and requires more development. The aim of the chapter is to discuss a role of biomarker-based approaches for more accurate diagnosis, in-depth risk stratification and individual targeting in treatment of patients with HF.

Copeptin in heart failure: Review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to explore the prognostic value of copeptin for predicting all-cause mortality in heart failure (HF).

METHODS

PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were systematically searched to identify if a 2×2 contingency table could be constructed based on both the copeptin level and the all-cause mortality in patients diagnosed with HF. The characteristics of test performance were summarized using forest plots and summary receiver operating characteristic curves (SROC). Q-test and I² index were used to evaluate heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Ten prospective cohort studies comprising 4473 patients were eligible in this meta-analysis. An elevated copeptin level was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in HF patients (Relative risk (RR) was 2.64 (95% CI, 2.09-3.32)). The pooled sensitivity (SEN) and specificity (SPE) of copeptin were 0.57 (95% CI, 0.50-0.63) and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.69-0.79), respectively. The positive likelihood ratio was 2.2 (95% CI, 1.90-2.60) and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.58 (95% CI, 0.52-0.66). Furthermore, the summary Diagnostic Odds Ratio (DOR) was 4.00 (95% CI, 3.00-5.00) and the AUC was 0.70 (95% CI, 0.66-0.74) similar to the AUC of NT-proBNP 0.71 (95% CI, 0.67-0.75).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated levels of copeptin are associated with all-cause mortality in HF patients. The predictive value of copeptin is comparable with NT-proBNP for all-cause mortality in HF patients. Further studies are warranted to explore the prognostic value of copeptin in conjunction with other biomarkers and to determine an optimal cut-off level.