Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring a subject suffering from heart failure, the method involving repeatedly determining, within given time intervals, the amounts of each of the following peptide markers: NT-proANP or a variant thereof; NT-proBNP or a variant thereof; a cardiac troponin or a variant thereof; and GDF-15 or a variant thereof; in a sample from the subject; and comparing the amounts measured in each determination with reference amounts of each marker; and assessing, based on differences in determined amounts in one or more of the markers, whether the subject is stable or has undergone a change in pathophysiological state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing if a subject suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy is suffering from ischemic or non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. Further, it relates to a method of determining which medication is to be applied in a subject suffering form after dilated cardiomyopathy. The method includes the steps of determining amounts of troponin, GDF-15, and an angiogenic markers selected from the group of PlGF, endoglin, and sFlt-1 in a sample from the subject and comparing the amounts determined With reference amounts. In one embodiment, the method of the invention further comprises also measuring an amount of a natriuretic peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing an advanced ischemic coronary heart disease comprising the steps of determining an amount of a cardiac troponin in a sample of a subject and diagnosing the disease by comparing the amount determined with a reference amount of the cardiac troponin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing the degree of arteriosclerotic stenosis in a subject including determining the amount of CRP or LPa in a sample of the subject and comparing the determined amount to a reference whereby the degree of arteriosclerotic stenosis is determined. The present invention also contemplates a method for identifying a subject in need of prevention or therapy of arteriosclerosis. Further, devices and kits are encompassed for carrying out the methods.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with diagnostic means and methods. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for diagnosing the angiogenic status of a subject suffering from myocardial infarction comprising determining the amounts of P1GF, sFLT1 and endoglin in a first sample of a subject obtained after myocardial infarction and in a second sample of the subject obtained after the first sample and comparing the amounts in the first sample with those in the second sample whereby the angiogenic status is diagnosed. The present invention also encompasses a method of determining whether a subject suffering from myocardial infarction is susceptible to a pro-angiogenic therapy. Finally, the present invention relates to a kit or a device for carrying out the method of the invention.

Abstract: Described is a method of predicting a risk of a diabetes type 1 patient to suffer from one or more complications selected from cardiovascular complications, terminal renal failure, and death, the method involving a) determining the amount of a cardiac troponin, preferably troponin T, in a sample of a diabetes type 1 patient; and optionally b) determining the amount of a natriuretic peptide, preferably NT-proBNP, in a sample of a diabetes type 1 patient; and c) comparing the amount of the cardiac troponin and optionally the natriuretic peptide determined in steps a) and b) to reference amounts, and establishing a prediction. Also described are devices and kits for carrying out the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of H-FABP as a marker for myocardial hibernation. Also envisaged by the present invention is the use of H-FABP and a cardiac troponin for differentiating between myocardial necrosis and myocardial hibernation. The present invention also relates to a method for diagnosing myocardial hibernation in a subject based on determining the amount of heart fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) in a sample of the subject and comparing the thus determined amount to a suitable reference amount. The method further, preferably, furthers comprises comparing the amount of a cardiac troponin in the sample, and comparing the, thus, determined amount to a reference for the cardiac troponin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying a subject being susceptible to a cardiac therapy, comprising (a) determining the amounts of liver fatty acid binding protein, and at least one further polypeptide from the group of a cardiac troponin and a natriuretic peptide in at least one sample of a subject suffering from heart failure, (b) comparing the thus determined amounts to suitable reference amounts, and (c) identifying a subject being susceptible to a cardiac therapy. Also described is a device and a kit adapted to carry out the method of the present invention. Also described is the use of liver fatty acid binding protein and at least one further polypeptide from the group of a cardiac troponin and a natriuretic peptide for identifying a subject being susceptible to a cardiac therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying a subject being susceptible to a cardiac therapy based on determination of a cardiac troponin T and the additional determination of C-reactive protein (CRP) or sCD40L (soluble CD40 ligand) in a sample of a subject with stable coronary heart disease and a history of an acute cardiovascular event. Also disclosed is a method for predicting the risk of mortality and/or a further acute cardiovascular event for a subject with stable coronary heart disease and a history of acute cardiovascular event based on the determination of the aforementioned markers. Further disclosed are kits and devices adapted to carry out the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying a subject being susceptible to a therapy for intensive glycemic control, the subject suffering from diabetes and being in need for a therapy for intensive glycemic control, based on determining the amount of PLGF (placental growth factor) in a sample of the subject and comparing the thus determined amount to a reference amount. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes determining at least one further marker selected from the group consisting of a cardiac troponin and a natriuretic peptide and comparing the determined amount(s) to a reference amount (amounts). Moreover, disclosed is a method for predicting the risk of an acute cardiovascular event in a subject who suffers from diabetes and is on intensive glycemic control. Further disclosed is a kit and a device adapted to carry out the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for differentiating in a subject suffering from acute shortness of breath (dyspnea) between (i) a pulmonary disease, (ii) a cardiovascular complication, (iii) a cardiovascular complication accompanied by a pulmonary disease or (iv) acute dyspnea without cardiovascular or pulmonary causes comprising the steps of determining the amount of pulmonary surfactant protein B (SP-B) in a sample of a subject, determining the amount of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in a sample of the subject, and differentiating between (i) a pulmonary disease, (ii) a cardiovascular complication, (iii) a cardiovascular complication accompanied by a pulmonary disease or (iv) acute dyspnea without cardiovascular or pulmonary causes by comparing the determined amounts with reference amounts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for predicting the risk of developing renal failure or mortality for a subject suffering from diabetes mellitus. More specifically, a method is disclosed for predicting the risk of developing renal failure for a subject suffering from diabetes mellitus, the method including the steps of determining the amounts of PLGF and sFlt-1 in a sample of a subject suffering from diabetes mellitus and comparing the amounts of PLGF and sFlt-1 determined with reference amounts of PLGF and sFlt-1, whereby the risk of developing renal failure is predicted. Also disclosed are diagnostic devices and kits for carrying out the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a subject being susceptible to a metabolic syndrome related therapy based on determining the amounts of adiponectin, retinol binding protein 4, and proinsulin in a sample of a subject, and comparing the thus determined amounts to suitable reference amounts. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of developing a metabolic syndrome in an apparently healthy subject based on determining the aforementioned markers in a sample from the subject. Also encompassed by the present invention are kits and devices adapted to carry out the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of predicting if a diabetes type 1 patient will suffer from one or more complications selected from cardiovascular complications, terminal renal failure, and death, the method including (a) determining the amount of GDF-15 in a sample of a diabetes type 1 patient; and (b) comparing the amount of GDF-15 determined in step (a) to a reference amount and establishing a prediction. Also encompassed by the present invention are devices and kits for carrying out the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for assessing heart failure in vitro including the steps of measuring in a sample the concentration of the marker SFRP-3, of optionally measuring in the sample the concentration of one or more other marker(s) of heart failure, and of assessing heart failure by comparing the concentration determined in for SFRP-3 and the concentration(s) determined for the optionally one or more other marker to the concentration of this marker or these markers as established in a reference population. Also disclosed are the use of SFRP-3 as a marker protein in the assessment of heart failure, a marker combination comprising SFRP-3 and a kit for measuring SFRP-3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing myocardial infarction in a subject who suffers from acute coronary syndrome and has a cardiac troponin level, which is detectable, but lower than the level that is considered as being indicative for a myocardial infarction. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for identifying a subject being susceptible to cardiac intervention, wherein the subject suffers from acute coronary syndrome and has a cardiac troponin level which is detectable, but lower than a level that is considered as being indicative for a myocardial infarction. The methods of the present invention are based on the determination of myoglobin and, optionally, Heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) in a sample of said subject and comparing the amount of myoglobin and, optionally, H-FABP to reference amounts. Also comprised by the present invention are kits or devices to carry out the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assessing heart failure in vitro comprising the steps of measuring in a sample the concentration of the marker SLIM-1, of optionally measuring in the sample the concentration of one or more other marker(s) of heart failure, and of assessing heart failure by comparing the concentration determined in for SLIM-1 and the concentration(s) determined for the optionally one or more other marker to the concentration of this marker or these markers as established in a reference population. Also disclosed are the use of SLIM-1 as a marker protein in the assessment of heart failure, a marker combination comprising SLIM-1 and a kit for measuring SLIM-1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assessing heart failure in vitro comprising the steps of measuring in a sample the concentration of the marker IGFBP-7, of optionally measuring in the sample the concentration of one or more other marker(s) of heart failure, and of assessing heart failure by comparing the concentration determined in for IGFBP-7 and the concentration(s) determined for the optionally one or more other marker to the concentration of this marker or these markers as established in a reference population. Also disclosed are the use of IGFBP-7 as a marker protein in the assessment of heart failure, a marker combination comprising IGFBP-7 and a kit for measuring IGFBP-7.

Abstract: Disclosed are diagnostic methods relating to atherosclerosis. Specifically, methods are disclosed for diagnosing the arteriosclerotic load of a subject comprising determining the amount of PlGF in a sample of a subject and calculating the ratio of the determined amount and the upper limit of normal for PlGF, wherein a ratio of 1 indicates a normal arteriosclerotic load, a ratio less than 1 indicates a reduced arteriosclerotic load and a ratio larger than 1 indicates an increased arteriosclerotic load. The present invention also contemplates a method for identifying a subject in need of prevention or therapy of arteriosclerosis. Further, devices and kits are disclosed for carrying out the methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a risk whether an individual will suffer from a cardiovascular adverse event as a consequence of cardiac stress testing, comprising the steps of (a) measuring, preferably in vitro, the level of placenta growth factor, wherein (b) if the level of the placenta growth factor is at least increased, then the individual is at least at risk of suffering from an adverse event as a consequence of cardiac stress testing. In a further embodiment, additionally another marker is measured, particularly a natriuretic peptide, most particularly NT-proBNP. The present invention allows to stratify patients according to the environment and conditions under which cardiac stress testing should be carried out.