Heart failure & cardiomyopathiesResearch article
A new protein panel for the diagnosis of HFpEF: combining machine-learning and liquid-chromatography mass-spectrometry proteomics
- LC-MS plasma proteomics with machine learning
- technically validated using the SomaScan 7K assay
Authors' conclusion
We identified a protein combination with higher specificity than NT-proBNP for diagnosing HFpEF. Integrating these biomarkers into clinical practice could improve HFpEF diagnosis and management, although external validation is required before clinical implementation.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with symptomatic HFpEF (LVEF ≥50%) from BIOSTAT-CHF and control subjects without heart failure from the PREVEND studyHFpEF patients (BIOSTAT-CHF) 249 · control subjects without heart failure (PREVEND) 99
- Participants
- 249 vs 99
- Comparison
- Combined biomarker model compared to NT-proBNP for diagnosing HFpEF
- HFpEFn = 249
- Non-HF controlsn = 99
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Baseline characteristics
female
| Outcome | HFpEF | Non-HF controls |
|---|---|---|
| median age | 77 years | 75 years |
| median LVEF | 59% | Not reported in the abstract |
| median plasma NT-proBNP | 1056 pg/mL | 77 pg/mL |
Further findings
Diagnostic performance of combined biomarker model vs NT-proBNP
Net Reclassification Index 1.57 (1.26–1.83)
specificity
AUC NT-proBNP 0.96 · Combined biomarker model 0.99
sensitivity Combined biomarker model 97%
| Outcome | Estimate | P value |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic performance of combined biomarker model vs NT-proBNP · AUC improved from 0.96 to 0.99 | (95% CI −0.00072 to 0.065) | P = 0.036 |
Protein profiles
- differentially abundant proteins
- 211
- Principal component analysis showed a clear distinction between the protein profiles of patients with HFpEF versus controls
- Two strongly downregulated proteins (TMP4 and YWHAZ) identified as biomarker candidates
Original publication
A new protein panel for the diagnosis of HFpEF: combining machine-learning and liquid-chromatography mass-spectrometry proteomics. ESC Heart Fail. Published 9 July 2026. doi:10.1093/eschf/xvag189
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it