Total plasma sulfde in mild to moderate diastolic heart dysfunction

Background. Te early pathophysiological mechanisms of diastolic dysfunction are not understood well. Hydrogen sulfde is an important endogenous gaseous transmitter that can infuence heart remodeling. The aim was to determine total plasma sulfde (TPS) levels, as a surrogate marker of hydrogen sulfde, in patients with mild diastolic dysfunction. Methods. Total plasma sulfde and N-terminal pro brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were determined in ambulatory patients with arterial hypertension or diabetes mellitus and echocardiographically mild to moderate diastolic dysfunction. Results. Twenty-four patients were included: nine with normal diastolic function (Grade 0), eight with an impaired relaxation pattern (Grade 1), and seven with a pseudo-normalized pattern (Grade 2). TPS levels were highest in patients with normal diastolic function (Grade 0), and lowest in patients with Grade 2 diastolic dysfunction, with this diference between Grade 0 and Grade 2 showing statistical signifcance (p = 0.017). NT-proBNP levels showed the reverse behavior, with this diference again showing statistical signifcance (p = 0.042). Conclusions. Total plasma sulfde levels decrease with worsening of diastolic function from normal to moderate diastolic dysfunction.