Sex-based Differences in Heart Failure Biomarkers

Purpose of ReviewDifferences in HF biomarker levels by sex may be due to hormonal, genetic, and fat distribution differences. Knowledge of these differences is scarce, and it is not well established whether they may affect their usefulness in the management of HF.Recent FindingsThe different biomarker profiles in women and men have been confirmed in recent studies: in women, markers of cardiac stretch and fibrosis (NP and galectin-3) are higher, whereas in men, higher levels of markers of cardiac injury and inflammation (cTn and sST2) are found.The use of new biomarkers, together with growing evidence that a multimarker approach can provide better risk stratification, raises the question of building models that incorporate sex-specific diagnostic criteria.Recent FindingsThe different biomarker profiles in women and men have been confirmed in recent studies: in women, markers of cardiac stretch and fibrosis (NP and galectin-3) are higher, whereas in men, higher levels of markers of cardiac injury and inflammation (cTn and sST2) are found.The use of new biomarkers, together with growing evidence that a multimarker approach can provide better risk stratification, raises the question of building models that incorporate sex-specific diagnostic criteria.SummaryMore and more research are being devoted to understanding sex-related differences in HF. The aim of this review is to review the dynamics of HF biomarkers according to sex and in different situations, to learn whether these sex differences may affect their use in the diagnosis and follow-up of HF patients.