Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining which medication is to be applied in a remodeling process of a subject after a myocardial infarction, the method comprising determining an amount of a natriuretic peptide, a cardiac troponin, and an inflammatory marker in a sample from the subject and initiating a remodeling in the subject, wherein the medication to be applied in the remodeling is selected according to the level of the peptides determined. Also disclosed is a method of monitoring the remodeling, wherein further steps include again determining an amount of the natriuretic peptide, the cardiac troponin, and the inflammatory marker in a sample from the subject, calculating the difference between the values from the first and second measurements, and assessing remodeling success from the data obtained.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for diagnosing a cardiac complication in a patient due to coronary catheterization, comprising the steps of (a) obtaining at least one baseline sample from the patient during or after coronary catheterization, and then (b) obtaining at least one test sample from the patient after coronary catheterization, (c) determining a change of the level of an ANP-type peptide between the baseline sample and the test sample, wherein a significant decrease in the level of the ANP-type peptide according to step c) indicates a cardiac complication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for predicting or assessing the risk of a type 1 diabetes patient to suffer from a cardiovascular event and/or terminal renal failure and/or death. The method is based on the determination of adiponectin and optionally a natriuretic peptide in a sample of a subject suffering from type 1 diabetes. Moreover, the present invention pertains to a method for predicting the risk of a cardiovascular event, mortality or terminal renal failure for a subject suffering from type 1 diabetes based on the determination of adiponectin and optionally a natriuretic peptide in a sample of the subject. Also encompassed by the present invention are devices and kits for carrying out the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of diagnosing if a subject which has suffered from an acute myocardial infarction is also suffering from a pre-existing myocardial dysfunction, the method comprising a) determining the amount of a natriuretic peptide in a sample of the subject; b) determining the amount of a cardiac troponin in a sample of the subject; c) calculating the ratio (natriuretic peptide/cardiac troponin); and d) diagnosing if the elevated natriuretic peptide level is related to a preexisting myocardial dysfunction or if the elevated level is caused by the acute myocardial infarction, based on the ratio calculated in step c). The method allows determining whether the individual has suffered from a myocardial dysfunction, in particular heart failure, before the myocardial infarction has occurred.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method for predicting the risk of mortality and/or a cardiovascular event in a subject who suffers from the metabolic syndrome based on the determination of a natriuretic peptide and adiponectin in a sample of a subject. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for identifying a subject being susceptible to a therapy that intends to increase the level of adiponectin in a subject based on the determination of the aforementioned markers. Further disclosed are kits and devices adapted to carry out the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and means for diagnosing or risk stratification of co-morbidities, particularly cardiovascular complications in diabetes patients. The invention particularly relates to a method for diagnosing whether a diabetes patient is suffering from a cardiovascular complication or is at risk of suffering from a cardiovascular complication, said method comprising the steps of (a) measuring, preferably in vitro, the level(s) of at least one cardiac hormone or a variant thereof in a sample from the patient, and (b) diagnosing the cardiovascular complication or the risk of suffering from cardiovascular complication by comparing the measured level(s) to known level(s) associated with the cardiovascular complication or risk. The present invention also relates to combining the measurement of markers comprising cardiac hormones, natriuretic peptides, inflammation-associated markers, angiogenesis-markers, and markers for platelet activation.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, device, and test kit for diagnosing heart failure in a patient exhibiting atrial fibrillation. The method includes determining an amount of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF -15) in a sample from the patient and comparing the amount of GDF-15 determined with a reference amount of GDF-15, wherein when the amount of GDF-15 determined is greater than the reference amount of GDF-15, a diagnosis of heart failure is indicated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring subjects being on anti-angiogenesis therapy based on determining the amount of a cardiac troponin in a first and second sample of a subject and comparing the amount in the first sample with the second sample. Thereby, it can be assessed whether a subject is susceptible to a continuation of the therapy or not. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of a cardiovascular event as a consequence of anti-angiogenesis therapy. Also encompassed by the present invention are kits and devices adapted to carry out the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a subject being susceptible to anti-angiogenesis therapy based in determining the amount of a cardiac troponin in a sample of the subject and comparing the amount to a suitable reference amount. Also encompassed by the present invention are kits and devices adapted to carry out the method of the present invention.

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 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.