The evaluation of the clinical utility of urocortin 1 and adrenomedullin versus proBNP in systolic heart failure

Abstract

Objective: Urocortin 1 (UCN1) has vasodilator, diuretic, and natriuretic effects, and its expression increases in heart failure (HF). Adrenomedullin (ADM) increases cardiac output and lowers blood pressure in healthy men and in patients with heart failure. The aim of the study was to determine UCN1 and ADM levels in patients with HF, to evaluate the relationship of UCN1 and ADM with various clinical parameters, and to assess UCN1 and ADM as diagnostic markers in HF, in comparison with pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP).