Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase levels and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute heart failure

Abstract

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a major cause of hospitalisation, morbidity and mortality worldwide. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is an enzyme responsible for the extracellular catabolism of antioxidant glutathione and a potential risk indicator of cardiac mortality. Limited data exists on the prognostic value of circulating levels of GGT in patients hospitalized due to AHF. To study the association between baseline GGT activity and in-hospital mortality in AHF patients. The study cohort consisted of 183 AHF patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Patients were divided into two groups according to in-hospital mortality. The relationship between GGT activity and in-hospital mortality was tested using logistic regression models, adjusting for clinical characteristics and echocardiographic findings. After adjustment for possible confounders, GGT level was significantly related (OR 1.056, 95% CI 1.018-1.096, p = 0.04) to in-hospital mortality. Elevated GGT activity is an independent predictor of short-term mortality in patients with AHF and reduced LVEF.