Heart failure induces modification in several neurohormonal systems. The aim of this study is to determine if the growth hormone/IGF1 axis is modified in heart failure patients compared to healthy volunteers.

One hundred and sixty three heart failure patients were evaluated by clinical examination, echocardiography, exercise test and measurement of blood BNP. Growth hormone and IGF-1 plasma levels were determined in each patient. The same biological measurements were performed in a group of 148 healthy controls. Comparisons were performed between groups for Growth hormone plasma level, IGF-1 plasma level and Growth hormone/IGF-1 index. A correlation between the severity of heart failure and the different biological parameters was searched.