METHODS AND RESULTS: The Fast Revascularization during InStability in
Coronary artery disease II (FRISC-II) trial randomized patients with non-ST-elevation
acute coronary syndrome to an invasive or conservative strategy with a follow-up for 2 years.
GDF-15 and other
biomarkers were determined on admission in 2079 patients.
GDF-15 was moderately elevated (between 1200 and 1800 ng/L) in 770 patients (37.0%), and highly elevated (>1800 ng/L) in 493 patients (23.7%). Elevated levels of
GDF-15 independently predicted the risk of the composite end point of death or recurrent
myocardial infarction in the conservative group (P=0.016) but not in the invasive group. A significant interaction existed between the
GDF-15 level on admission and the effect of treatment strategy on the composite end point. The occurrence of the composite end point was reduced by the invasive strategy at
GDF-15 levels >1800 ng/L (hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.33 to 0.73; P=0.001), between 1200 and 1800 ng/L (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.46 to 1.00; P=0.048), but not <1200 ng/L (hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.68 to 1.65; P=0.81). Patients with ST-segment depression or a
troponin T level >0.01 microg/L with a
GDF-15 level <1200 ng/L did not benefit from the invasive strategy.
CONCLUSIONS:
GDF-15 is a potential tool for risk stratification and therapeutic decision making in patients with non-ST-elevation
acute coronary syndrome as initially diagnosed by ECG and
troponin levels. A prospective randomized trial is needed to validate these findings.