Homoarginine as a biomarker for the risk of mortality

摘要

The present invention relates to the field of laboratory diagnostics. Specifically, means and methods for determining the risk of mortality in a patient based on homoarginine and to reduce the risk of mortality by administration of homoarginine are disclosed. Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of homoarginine for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a patient having an increased risk of mortality caused by stroke or a cardiac cause. Furthermore, the present application relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising homoarginine and a composition for foodstuff supplement comprising homoarginine.

主权项

1. A method for treating a patient having an increased risk of mortality caused by stroke, sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction, heart failure, or intervention to treat coronary artery disease, the method comprising:
measuring the amount of homoarginine in a blood sample from the patient; comparing the amount of homoarginine measured from the patient with a reference amount of homoarginine; determining the patient has an increased risk of mortality when the amount of hormoarginine from the patient is lower than the reference amount, wherein the increased risk of mortality is increased risk of mortality caused by stroke, sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction, heart failure, or intervention to treat coronary artery disease; and treating the patient determined to be at increased risk of mortality by administering homoarginine to said patient.