Higher blood-marker levels linked to worse heart failure outcomes
The adjusted hazard ratio, a measure of relative risk, was 1.64 for cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure over two months, comparing highest versus lowest blood-marker groups.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled
Limit: Patients were followed for only 2 months
Edited by Boris Djordjevic · AgingResearch.News
Among 2,400 people hospitalized for acutely worsening heart failure, researchers analyzed blood markers within a randomized, double-blind trial that started dapagliflozin or placebo in hospital. Participants had elevated natriuretic peptides, blood markers used to assess heart failure. Their median age was 69, and 34% were women.
Researchers divided participants into three groups by their initial marker levels. Higher levels were associated with higher risk of cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure, even after adjustment for other risk factors. Marker levels tracked poorly with signs of fluid buildup. Low blood pressure with symptoms occurred in 3.9% of the highest-marker group versus 1.8% of the lowest. Dapagliflozin’s relative treatment effect appeared generally consistent across marker groups.
Why it matters
The participants’ median age of 69 makes the analysis relevant to heart failure care in older adults, particularly questions about early risk and potential treatment benefit.
Caveats
The trial enrolled hospitalized patients with elevated blood-marker levels, so the findings do not cover people with lower levels. The congress abstract did not provide the drug dose or treatment-group event rates.
- Dapagliflozin
- Worsening heart failure
- Natriuretic peptides
- Acute decompensated heart failure
- Dyspnea
- Humans
The paper
Montreal Heart Institute; Brigham and Women's Hospital
ESC Congress 2026 Abstract, Oct 26, 2026
Presented at ESC Congress 2026
