The relationship between ketone bodies (KB) and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF) syndrome has not been well established.
The aim of this study is to assess the distribution of KB in HF, identify clinical correlates, and examine the associations between plasma KB and all-cause mortality in a population-based HF cohort.
The plasma KB levels were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine associations between clinical correlates and KB levels. Proportional hazard regression was employed to examine associations between KB (represented as both continuous and categorical variables) and mortality, with adjustment for several clinical covariates.
Among the 1,382 HF patients with KB measurements, the median (IQR) age was 78 (68, 84) and 52% were men. The median (IQR) KB was found to be 180 (134, 308) μM. Higher KB levels were associated with advanced HF (NYHA class III–IV) and higher NT-proBNP levels (both
Most patients with HF exhibited KB levels that were consistent with those found in healthy adults. Elevated levels of KB were observed in patients with advanced HF. Higher KB levels were found to be associated with an increased risk of death, particularly in patients with preserved EF.