Summary
Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is identified as a biomarker in the prognosis and assess ment of cardiovascular disease (CVD). High GDF-15 levels reflect a cellular response to acute and chronic stress, which could be associated with both disease and aging processes. GDF-15 levels are increasing in the context of inflammation, ischemia, heart damage. This literature review discusses the role of GDF-15 in different clinical situations: to prevent CVD, predict out come of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), heart failure (HF), and atrial fibrillation (AF). El evated GDF-15 levels might a sign of as yet undiagnosed CVD in middle-aged and elderly people. Changes in GDF-15 levels in patients with ACS indicate the value of this biomarker not only in predicting recurrent CVD-related events in the future but also in major bleeding against dual antiplatelet therapy and in determining treatment intensity and need for invasive treatment in patients non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. In patients with HF, the in crease in GDF-15 over time is associated with negative out comes, in patients with chronic and acute HF when assessing response to drug or interventional HF treatment. GDF-15 is also a reliable biomarker in assessing the risk of bleeding and death in patients with AF, both in the treatment of oral anticoagulants and in the risk and duration of additional antiplatelet treatment in ischemic heart disease. GDF-15 captures unique aspects of CVD development, progression, and prognosis that are not reflected in traditional clinical risk factors and biomarkers. More clinical trials are expected in the future to evaluate GDF-15 not only as a prognostic factor but also as a therapeutic target in the treatment of CVD.
