PLASMA ADIPONECTIN LOWERING AFTER LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE IMPLANTATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH 1-MONTH SURVIVAL IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED HEART FAILURE

In advanced heart failure (HF) patients, high circulating levels of adiponectin, an adipokine known to mediate metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects in the heart, are associated to a negative outcome. In order to evaluate adiponectin as a possible prognostic biomarker, we investigated the effect of implantation of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) on circulating adiponectin levels. Mechanical unloading of the failing myocardium by LVAD implant induced an early decrease of adiponectin plasma levels, mainly in survivor patients, suggesting that early monitoring of adiponectin may be a reliable tool for outcome prediction in LVAD recipients.