Heart failure often causes fluid to accumulate in the body, leading to congestion and swelling. However, some people who have had heart failure for a long time seem to have very little congestion or swelling, even when the heart failure is poorly treated. The investigators think that this is because lymphatic vessels are able to grow and remove fluid to prevent congestion. The investigators do not know how lymphatic vessels grow. This study will investigate the blood levels of various proteins to try to figure out how the lymph vessels of people with long-standing heart failure might grow.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
100
Ralph H. Johnson VAMC
Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Levels
VEGF levels in systemic venous, pulmonary arterial, and pulmonary venous samples in participants with left heart failure versus those without left heart failure.
Time frame: At time of right heart catheterization
Lymphangiogenesis factors and Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure (PCWP)
Correlation between above lymphangiogenesis factors and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, right atrial pressure, and cardiac output gathered from right heart catheterization.
Time frame: At time of right heart catheterization
Lymphangiogenesis and Heart failure severity
Correlation between lymphangiogenesis factors and heart failure symptom severity as determined by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire
Time frame: At time of right heart catheterization
Lymphangiogenesis and 6 minute hall walk
Correlation between lymphangiogenesis factors and 6 minute walk distance.
Time frame: At time of right heart catheterization
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