Changes in Plasma Neuregulin-1β Levels during Reverse Remodeling in Response to Spironolactone in Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Neuregulin (NRG) is a growth factor released from endocardial and endothelial cells in response to stress. Increased levels of NRG occur in association with chronic heart failure, as well as exercise induced ischemia. We have shown that introduction of spironolactone to patients with chronic non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) on stable medical therapy is associated with improvements of subendocardial perfusion deficits, and reverse remodeling. We hypothesized that this would be associated with decreases in circulating NRG levels.