Abstract: Abstract: Objective To investigate the changes and clinical significance of the plasma growth differentiation factor- 15 (GDF-15) in patients with chronic congestive heart failure (CHF). Methods A total of 100 patients with CHF were in⁃ cluded in this study (CHF group), and 30 healthy persons were used as control group. CHF group was divided into heart func⁃tionⅡgrade (n=35)， Ⅲ grade (n=32)， Ⅳ grade (n=33) groups in accordance with New York Heart Association (NYHA). And CHF group was also divided into left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <0.4 grade (n=52) and LVEF≥0.4 grade (n=48) groups in accordance with LVEF of patients. The plasma GDF-15 and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were detected by ELISA. The values of LVEF, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDd), left ventricular systolic diameter (LVDs) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) were detected by echocardiography. The correlation of GDF-15, NYHA classifi⁃ cation, BNP and index of echocardiography was analyzed between groups. Results Compared with control group, the levels of BNP, GDF-15, LVDd and LVDs were significantly higher in heart failure group, and values of LVEF and LVFS were sig⁃ nificantly lower (P < 0.05). The plasma levels of BNP, GDF-15, LVDd and LVDs were in turn increased in control group, LVEF≥0.4 grade group and LVEF<0.4 grade group. The plasma levels of LVFS were in turn decreased, in control group, LVEF≥0.4 grade group and LVEF<0.4 grade group (P＜0.05). There were positive correlations between the plasma levels of GDF-15 and BNP, NYHA, LVDd and LVDs (r=0.524, 0.286, 0.453 and 0.531, P < 0.05). The plasma level of GDF-15 was negatively correlated with LVEF and LVFS (r= -0.592, -0.587， P < 0.05). Conclusion The plasma level of GDF-15 can be used as a new marker for diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in patients with chronic congestive heart failure.

Key words: heart failure, congestive heart failure, growth differention factor- 15, brain natriuretic peptide, left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)