Role of Phenylacetylglutamine (PAGln) in Prognosis for Heart Failure Patients

Two large clinical studies investigated the levels of phenylacetylglutamine (PAGln), a metabolite produced by gut bacteria, in patients with stable heart failure. Conducted in Cleveland and Berlin, the studies found that patients with elevated PAGln levels had up to a threefold higher risk of mortality during observation than those with lower levels. These associations were independent of traditional risk factors, such as renal function, inflammation, or cardiac performance. In Berlin's cohort, patients with elevated PAGln levels showed an approximately fourfold increased mortality risk within three years. These findings confirm the predictive power of PAGln, independent of other risk factors. High PAGln levels correlate with poorer prognoses, making it a potential prognostic marker for identifying high-risk heart failure patients. This identification could lead to intensive therapies aimed at preventing heart-related deaths.