In a new study, researchers found a new blood test that reliably predicts outcomes for heart failure patients could lead to new diagnostics and treatments for COVID-19 patients as well.
The research was conducted by cardiologists at the University of Alberta.
The researchers examined circulating angiotensin peptide levels in the blood of 110 people who were experiencing heart failure due to a heart attack or stroke.
Angiotensin peptides are short proteins that regulate the cardiovascular system and are altered in patients with heart failure—and those with COVID-19.
The test to determine the ratio between good and bad peptides in the cardiovascular system involves taking a single blood draw and analyzing it with a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technique that requires specialized instruments available in most analytic labs.
The team found that a high ratio between beneficial peptides (angiotensin 1-7) and harmful peptides (angiotensin II) led to better outcomes, including a lower risk of death and shorter hospital stays, no matter how severe their symptoms were.
It was determined that measuring levels of either type of peptide on its own did not provide enough information.
The team says doctors have to look at both peptides, so it’s a balance between the good guy and the bad guy.
This is very relevant for heart failure because researchers can now target this pathway, but it also has implications for COVID-19 patients.
The team’s previous work showed that the link between heart failure and COVID-19 is the key role played in each disease by the enzyme ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2), which is produced in many parts of the body, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, and gut.
The enzyme protects the heart by increasing the production of angiotensin 1-7 (the “good guy” peptide) and suppressing the renin-angiotensin system that produces angiotensin II (the “bad guy” peptide).
ACE2 has also been identified as the receptor for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 and has infected millions of people worldwide.
Severe disease symptoms can include pneumonia, heart failure, neural problems, and failure of other organs.
The team noted that cardiovascular disease is a key feature in patients with COVID-19, especially those who are hospitalized, are sicker and end up in intensive care units.
One author of the study is Gavin Oudit, a professor of cardiology, Canada Research Chair in Heart Failure and director of the Heart Function Clinic at the Mazankowski.
The study is published in Circulation: Heart Failure.
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