Plasma levels of endothelin-1 at rest and after exercise in patients with moderate congestive heart failure

Plasma levels of endothelin-1 are increased in patients with severe congestive heart failure related to various etiologies. However, conflicting data have been published in patients with moderate congestive heart failure. Moreover, the effect of exercise on plasma levels of endothelin-1 is not precisely known. We determined the plasma levels of endothelin-1 in a homogenous group of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in stage II of the New York Heart Association functional classification at rest and at peak exercise. In this group of patients, plasma levels of endothelin-1 were increased compared to a control group (2.9 ± 0.27 vs. 1.96 ± 0.24 pmol/l, P < 0.01, mean ± S.E.M.), as were plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (26.3 ± 6.3 vs. 2.95 ± 0.7 pmol/l, P < 0.001), plasma renin activity (12.6 ± 2.98 vs. 1.75 ± 0.23 ng/ml per h, P < 0.001) and plasma levels of aldosterone (217 ± 29.3 vs. 154 ± 18.8 pg/ml, P < 0.05). In contrast to the other hormones, exercise did not increase plasma levels of endothelin-1. There was no correlation between plasma levels of endothelin-1 and plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide, and no correlation between left ventricular ejection fraction, peak oxygen consumption and hormonal values. In conclusion, plasma levels of endothelin-1 are increased in a homogeneous group of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and moderate congestive heart failure. Endothelin-1 could participate in the progression of heart failure. Exercise did not increase the plasma levels of endothelin-1 in contrast to the other hormones.