title: Resolution of symptoms and serum peptides of collagen type I turnover in acute heart failure patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Myocardial collagen content as a fundamental component of extracellular matrix, is altered in pathological states including heart failure (HF). Serum peptides related to myocardial collagen synthesis and degregation can be measured and may be used as indices of myocardial collagen turnover. The present study was undertaken to assess the hypothesis that resolution of acute decompensation of chronic HF is associated with changes in serum peptides related to collagen synthesis and degregation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum concentrations of the amino-terminal propetide of procollagen type I (PINP) and the carboxy-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I (CITP), indices of collagen type I synthesis and degradation, respectively, were determined at the time of admission and discharge in 156 patients (100 men, 68 +/- 10 years) with acute decompensation of chronic HF. A significant decrease (-3.5 ng/ml 95% CI -5.3/-1.6 ng/ml, P < 0.001) of PINP was observed whereas CITP levels were significantly increased (+ 0.04 ng/ml 95% CI 0.01-0.08 ng/ml, P = 0.031) at discharge compared to admission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings of the present study showed that serum indices of myocardial collagen turnover were changed significantly in a short period of time during the improvement of acute decompensation of chronic HF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Sofia V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Chatzikyriakou
authors.forename: Dimitrios N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Tziakas
authors.forename: Georgios K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Chalikias
authors.forename: Dimitrios A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Stakos
authors.forename: Adina K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Thomaidi
authors.forename: Konstantina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mitrousi
authors.forename: Asimina E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Lantzouraki
authors.forename: Stamatia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kotsiou
authors.forename: Efstratios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maltezos
authors.forename: Harisios
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boudoulas