Effect of β-Blocker Therapy on the Level of Soluble ST2 Protein in Pediatric Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Background and Objectives: A prognosis for kids with pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy (PDCM) is urgently needed to identify high-risk patients. This study aimed to determine the association of levels and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) and medical therapy of β-blocker inhibitors with the risk of adverse events in PDCM. Materials and Methods: A total of 124 patients with PDCM were enrolled after admission from 2 centers in China and followed up for adverse events (death, cardiac transplantation, and heart-failure-related rehospitalization). Based on a median sST2 level and the usage of β-blocker inhibitors, patients were divided into four groups. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the risk of incident adverse events. Results: The median level of sST2 was 23.77 ng/mL, and 53 (42.7%) patients received β-blocker treatment. Over a median follow-up of 678 days, 37 (29.8%) adverse events occurred. Compared with patients with sST2 < median and without β-blocker, patients with sST2 ≥ median and without β-blocker (HR: 7.01; 95% CI: 1.21–40.45), followed by those with sST2 ≥ median and use of β-blocker had the highest risk of adverse events (hazard ratio (HR): 5.51; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17–25.84). However, a significant association was not observed in patients with sST2 < median and use of β-blocker. These associations were consistent across different subgroups. Conclusions: A higher level of sST2 was associated with a higher risk of adverse events in patients with PDCM, and β-blocker treatment for children with high levels of sST2 can effectively avoid adverse events.