Figure 1.

Schematic representation of the release of various biomarkers from organs in patients with heart failure. Increased ventricular wall stretch is the primary inciting event causing a cascade of biomarker release which can be measured to monitor disease severity and ongoing myocardial insult. The growing body of research has shown that in heart failure patients, complex underlying pathophysiological processes can be better understood by monitoring biomarker activity. BNP: B-Type Natriuretic Peptide; NT-proBNP: Amino Terminal Natriuretic Peptide; MR-proANP: Mid-regional A-type Natriuretic Peptide; GDF-15: Growth differentiation factor 15; NGAL: Neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin; IL 6: Interleukin 6; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor alpha; CRP: C-Reactive protein; RAAS: Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system