Table 1.
Baseline Characteristics of the Study Patients
| Variables | HF Patients (n=101) | Hemodialysis Patients (n=105) | Control Subjects (n=20) | P Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age, y (mean, SD) | 64±10 | 63±16 | 58±4 | 0.17 |
| Male, n (%) | 93 (93) | 68 (65) | 15 (75) | 0.039 |
| NYHA class, II/III | 89/11 | NA | NA | N/A |
| Diabetes mellitus, n (%) | 14 (14) | 23 (22) | 0 | <0.001 |
| Current smoking, n (%) | 22 (22) | NA | 0 | <0.001 |
| LVEF, % (mean, SD) | 35±8 | 50±10 | NA | <0.001 |
| Systolic blood pressure, mm Hg (mean, SD) | 118±18 | 141±25 | 119±11 | <0.001 |
| Diastolic blood pressure, mm Hg (mean, SD) | 72±12 | 81±18 | 71±8 | <0.001 |
| Serum creatinine, μmol/L (mean, SD) | 90±18 | NA | 78±13 | 0.005 |
| Creatinine clearance, mL/min (mean, SD) | 96±16 | 0 | 124±11 | <0.001 |
| Plasma NGAL, ng/mL (mean, SD) | 93±74 | NA | 43±40 | 0.004 |
| Hematocrit, % (mean, SD) | 43±4 | 35±4 | 41±4 | <0.001 |
| Medication | ||||
| ACEi/ARB, n (% use) | 101 (100) | 10 (10) | 0 | <0.001 |
| β‐Blocker, n (% use) | 98 (97) | 60 (57) | 0 | <0.001 |
| Loop diuretic, n (% use) | 49 (49) | 0 | 0 | <0.001 |
| Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, n (% use) | 29 (29) | NA | 0 | <0.001 |
ACEi indicates angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor; ARB, angiotensin II receptor blocker; HF, heart failure; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; n, number of subjects; NGAL, neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin; NA, not available; N/A, not applicable; NYHA, New York Heart Association.