Prognostic value of DCTA scoring system in heart failure

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of a novel scoring system, based on D-dimer, total cholesterol, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), and serum albumin levels, in patients with heart failure. Methods. A total of 221 patients diagnosed with heart failure between May 2016 to January 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The prognostic significance of the biomarkers D-dimer, total cholesterol, hs-cTnT, and serum albumin was determined with univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. A novel prognostic score based on these predictors was established. The Kaplan-Meiermethod and log-rank test were used to compare the adverse outcomes of patients in different risk groups. Result. Results from univariate and multivariate analyses showed that high D-dimer, low serum albumin, high hs-cTnT, and low total cholesterol levels were independent prognostic factors for adverse outcomes (D-dimer >0.63mg/l, HR= 1.84, 95% CI= 1.16-2.94, p= 0.010; serum albumin >34 g/l, HR= 0.67, 95% CI= 0.45-0.99, p= 0.046; hs-cTnT >24.06 pg/ml, HR= 1.65, 95% CI= 1.08-2.53, p= 0.020; total cholesterol >3.68mmol/l, HR= 0.63, 95% CI= 0.43-0.92, p= 0.017). Moreover, all the patients were stratified into low-risk or high-risk group according to a scoring system based on these four markers. Kaplan-Meier analyses demonstrated that patients in the high-risk group were more prone to having adverse outcomes compared with patients in the low-risk group. Conclusion. D-dimer, total cholesterol, hs-cTnT, and serum albumin levels were independent prognostic factors in the setting of heart failure. A novel and comprehensive scoring system based on these biomarkers is an easily available and effective tool for predicting the adverse outcomes of patients with heart failure.