[Role of biomarkers for risk stratification in the tailored follow-up of heart failure patients]

Abstract

Recent advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of heart failure have made available among novel diagnostic tools an increasing number of biohumoral markers. In the setting of chronic heart failure, natriuretic peptides and troponins have been proposed for routine clinical use to evaluate functional severity of cardiac damage, for prognostic stratification across the whole spectrum of disease evolution, to assess treatment effectiveness, and to guide therapy. We discuss their clinical significance and role in a tailored strategy for patient follow-up.