Circulating biomarkers linking heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Toward an integrated biological framework - A systematic review.

In 30 seconds

This systematic review examined circulating biomarkers studied in both heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), assessing their diagnostic, prognostic, and pathophysiological relevance. The review included 23 eligible studies published between 2015 and 2026. Natriuretic peptides, especially N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, were the most extensively investigated for identifying cardiac dysfunction and predicting adverse outcomes. Other biomarker groups—including cardiac troponins, inflammatory mediators, fibrosis- and remodelling-related markers, endothelial markers, and metabolic biomarkers—offered complementary information about disease pathways. The authors identify a rationale for evaluating multimarker approaches, while noting that further investigation is needed.

Key findings

• The systematic review included 23 eligible studies published between 2015 and 2026.
• Natriuretic peptides, particularly N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, were most extensively studied for cardiac dysfunction and adverse-outcome prediction.
• Troponins, inflammatory, fibrosis/remodelling, endothelial, and metabolic biomarkers reflected complementary biological pathways.

Why it matters

HF and COPD commonly coexist, yet biomarkers have often been interpreted within disease-specific frameworks. Considering shared and complementary biomarker signals may help clarify the biological processes accompanying their coexistence and inform future cardiopulmonary risk-stratification research. The review supports investigation of combined biomarker approaches, but does not establish their clinical performance or utility.

What to keep in mind

The review synthesizes a limited and heterogeneous evidence base of 23 studies; the abstract does not report pooled estimates or establish the clinical utility of multimarker approaches.