Plasma Levels of Connective Tissue Growth Factor in Children with Congestive Heart Failure

Objectives: Assessment of plasma level of connective tissue growth factor in congestive heart failure children, assessment of its diagnostic and prognostic role and correlate its level with clinical and echocardiographic assessment of congestive heart failure.

Methods: Connective tissue growth factor level in the plasma was measured in 40 children; 20 of them have congestive heart failure, and 20 are healthy then, correlated with clinical parameters.

Results: The diagnostic and prognostic value of it was evaluated. We compared its levels in both patients and healthy children. We found that connective tissue growth factor level was significantly increased in diseased children. Fractional shortening and ejection fraction correlated negatively with the plasma level of connective tissue growth factor. Heart rate, respiratory rate and calibrated integrated backscatter correlated positively with connective tissue growth factor. Connective tissue growth factor was significantly correlated with the class of heart failure according to Ross classification.

Conclusions: Plasma connective tissue growth factor has a promising diagnostic and prognostic value as a biomarker for congestive heart failure in children with high sensitivity and specificity.