Albumin Levels and Prognostic Factors in Heart Failure
Summary
Serum albumin has emerged as a multifaceted biomarker in heart failure, reflecting nutritional status, systemic inflammation and vascular integrity. In patients with chronic and acute forms of heart failure, low albumin concentrations often coexist with hypo‐perfusion, increased capillary permeability and renal dysfunction. Hypoalbuminaemia has been linked to elevated inflammatory markers, impaired diuretic response and greater incidence of non‐elective hospital admissions. Conversely, improvements in albumin levels during hospitalisation may identify individuals at lower risk of subsequent mortality or rehospitalisation. Beyond its univariate association with outcome, serum albumin enhances the performance of composite risk models, informs diuretic dosing strategies and contributes to novel indices that integrate haematological and biochemical parameters. Collectively, these findings position albumin not only as a prognostic indicator but also as a potential target for therapeutic modulation in heart failure management.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
Albumin Levels and Prognostic Factors in Heart Failure publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in albumin levels and prognostic factors in heart failure across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Serum albumin: The predominant plasma protein synthesised by the liver, responsible for colloid oncotic pressure, transport of endogenous and exogenous substances, and antioxidant functions.
Hypoalbuminaemia: A condition defined by abnormally low serum albumin concentration, often below 3.5 g/dL, indicative of malnutrition, inflammation or increased capillary permeability.
Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF): A sudden or gradual onset of signs and symptoms of heart failure requiring urgent medical attention and frequently resulting in hospitalisation.
Neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR): A composite index obtained by dividing the neutrophil proportion in peripheral blood by the serum albumin concentration, used to integrate inflammatory and nutritional status.
Hazard ratio: A measure used in survival analysis to compare the instantaneous risk of an event occurring in one group with that in another over time.
References
- Low serum albumin: A significant predictor of reduced survival in patients with chronic heart failure. Clinical Cardiology (2019).
- Association of an increase in serum albumin levels with positive 1-year outcomes in acute decompensated heart failure: A cohort study. PLOS ONE (2020).
- The neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio is associated with all-cause mortality in patients with chronic heart failure. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders (2023).
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.