MEANS AND METHODS FOR THE DISCRIMINATION OF GDF-15 ELEVATION RELATED OR UNRELATED TO CARDIAC DISORDERS

摘要

The present invention is concerned with methods and devices for medical diagnosis. Specifically, it relates to a method of diagnosing a cardiac disorder, said method comprising: a) determining the amount of a natriuretic peptide in a sample of said subject; b) determining the amount of GDF-15 in a sample of said subject; c) calculating the ratio (natriuretic peptide/GDF-15); d) diagnosing if the subject is suffering from a cardiac disorder, based of the ratio calculated in step c). The method allows to determine whether an elevated amount of GDF-15 in a sample of a subject is related to cardiac disorders, in particular myocardial dysfunction and/or heart failure, or if the elevation is related to a different pathological state. Moreover, the present invention relates to a diagnostic device and a kit for carrying out the aforementioned method. The claimed method is also useful for monitoring and/or classifying subjects, as well as for evaluating the risks associated with cardiac disorders. The subject is preferably exhibiting atrid fibrillation. The notriuretic peptide is preferably BNP or NT- pro BNP.