Circulating Proangiogenic Progenitor Cells Independently Predict Functional Capacity in Heart Failure Patients

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction is an important underlying mechanism in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF). Circulating proangiogenic progenitor cells (CPCs) are endothelial and hematopoietic progenitor cells involved in the process of vasculogenesis repairing damaged and dysfunctional endothelium. Our aim was to evaluate whether an independent association exists between CPCs and functional capacity in HF patients. METHODS: This …