LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

New Protein Risk Predicts Mortality Risk in Heart Failure Patients

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 02 Jan 2024
Image: The new protein risk score demonstrated strong clinical utility for predicting death from heart failure (Photo courtesy of SomaLogic)
Image: The new protein risk score demonstrated strong clinical utility for predicting death from heart failure (Photo courtesy of SomaLogic)

Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical condition characterized by high mortality rates. Existing methods for assessing the biological complexity of HF and determining clinical strategies are somewhat inadequate. High-throughput proteomics has the potential to enhance risk prediction; however, its practical application in managing HF patients requires robust validation and proven clinical advantages. Now, researchers have developed a new protein risk score that offers improved calibration and the potential to assist healthcare providers in more accurately determining the mortality risk in individuals with HF.

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA) have developed and validated a protein risk score to stratify mortality risk in persons with heart failure using a community-based cohort of 7,289 plasma proteins in 1,351 patients with HF using the SomaScan Assay from SomaLogic (Boulder, CO, USA). In the development cohort, the team chose 38 unique proteins for inclusion in the protein risk score. This score showed good calibration, was particularly effective at reclassifying mortality risk at the extremes of the risk spectrum, and outperformed traditional clinical models in terms of clinical utility.

The research highlights the significant potential of the clinical utility of large-scale proteomic assays in improving risk prediction in HF. The tool could guide clinicians in identifying patients who may benefit from intensified medication management or those at high risk for adverse events who might need mechanical circulatory support or transplantation. Nonetheless, the predominance of participants of European descent in the study raises questions about the score's applicability across various demographics. Therefore, additional research is essential to assess the score's effectiveness in diverse populations and to establish specific risk thresholds for various medical interventions.

Related Links:
NIH 
SomaLogic

Gold Member
Hybrid Pipette
SWITCH
POC Helicobacter Pylori Test Kit
Hepy Urease Test
Autoimmune Liver Diseases Assay
Microblot-Array Liver Profile Kit
Human Estradiol Assay
Human Estradiol CLIA Kit

Channels

Immunology

view channel
Image: Circulating tumor cells isolated from blood samples could help guide immunotherapy decisions (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Identifies Lung Cancer Patients Who Can Benefit from Immunotherapy Drug

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with limited treatment options, and even newly approved immunotherapies do not benefit all patients. While immunotherapy can extend survival for some,... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: New evidence suggests that imbalances in the gut microbiome may contribute to the onset and progression of MCI and Alzheimer’s disease (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

Comprehensive Review Identifies Gut Microbiome Signatures Associated With Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 6.7 million people in the United States and nearly 50 million worldwide, yet early cognitive decline remains difficult to characterize. Increasing evidence suggests... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Vitestro has shared a detailed visual explanation of its Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy Device (photo courtesy of Vitestro)

Robotic Technology Unveiled for Automated Diagnostic Blood Draws

Routine diagnostic blood collection is a high‑volume task that can strain staffing and introduce human‑dependent variability, with downstream implications for sample quality and patient experience.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: Roche’s cobas® Mass Spec solution enables fully automated mass spectrometry in routine clinical laboratories (Photo courtesy of Roche)

New Collaboration Brings Automated Mass Spectrometry to Routine Laboratory Testing

Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical technique that identifies and quantifies molecules based on their mass and electrical charge. Its high selectivity, sensitivity, and accuracy make it indispensable... Read more