Intact fibroblast growth factor 23 in heart failure with reduced and mildly reduced ejection fraction

BACKGROUND: Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) has been associated to left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and heart failure (HF) severity. We aimed to investigate the clinical correlates and prognostic value of intact FGF23 (iFGF23) in HF patients. METHODS: Patients with stable HF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50% were prospectively enrolled, managed according to current recommendations and followed over time. iFGF23 was measured at baseline with a fully automated immuno-chemiluminescent assay. RESULTS: We enrolled 150 patients (82% males; median age 65 years). First, second, and third iFGF23 tertiles were < 35.2 pg/mL, 35.2–50.9 pg/mL, and > 50.9 pg/mL. LVEF decreased from the first iFGF23 tertile to the third tertile (p = 0.014). N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) increased from the first to the third tertile (p = 0.001), while peak oxygen consumption decreased (p < 0.001). Thirty-five patients (23%) experienced the primary endpoint (all-cause death or HF hospitalization at 5 years), and 26 (17%) the secondary endpoint (all-cause death at 5 years). On multivariable analysis, iFGF23 independently predicted the primary endpoint on top of age, gender and LVEF (HR 4.6 [95% CI 2.1–10.3], p < 0.001), age, gender and eGFR (HR 4.1 [95% CI 1.6–10.3], p = 0.003), as well as age, gender and NT-proBNP (HR 3.6 [95% CI 1.6–8.2], p = 0.002). iFGF23 even reclassified patient risk on top of all the 3 models, with NRI values of 0.65 (95% CI 0.30–1.01), 0.55 (95% CI 0.25–0.88), and 0.60 (95% CI 0.24–0.96), respectively (both p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Circulating iFGF23 is associated with disease severity and outcome in HF patients with reduced and mildly reduced ejection fraction. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-023-03441-2.