Background: Diastolic dysfunction (DD) is common in elderly people. Myocardial fibrosis is a major determinant of diastolic function. Increased myocardial fibrosis has been observed with advancing age. We hypothesized that plasma levels of carboxy-terminal peptide of procollagen type I (PICP), a marker of fibrosis, is elevated in elderly subjects with DD compared to healthy control subjects.
Methods: PICP levels were measured in 29 elderly subjects with DD and 25 healthy control subjects. The relationship between PICP levels and age, gender, hypertension, and the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy were then assessed.
Results: PICP levels were significantly higher in elderly subjects with DD than in healthy control subjects (301.0 +/- 52.0 vs. 262.9 +/- 45.3 ng/mL; P = .006). PICP levels were higher in elderly with DD regardless of the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy. Additionally, PICP levels were not found to correlate with age.
Conclusions: PICP levels are elevated in elderly people with DD. PICP may be a useful marker to determine the level of fibrotic activity in this population.