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The following is a summary of “Endocrine response in cardiogenic shock complicating myocardial infarction: the prognostic value of growth hormone and IGF-1,” published in the May 2025 issue of Journal of Endocrinology by Boettger et al. 

Declining levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) may hold the key to understanding prognosis in cardiogenic shock (CS) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI), a condition long known for its high mortality.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to investigate temporal changes in growth hormone (GH) and IGF-1 levels in CS and their prognostic significance.  

They analyzed data from the Halle-Cardiogenic Shock Registry, which included 41 individuals with AMI complicated by CS. The GH and IGF-1 levels were measured at 4 time points: admission and on day 1, day 2, and day 4 following percutaneous coronary intervention. Differences in these hormone levels were compared between survivors and non-survivors, as well as across age groups (<70 years vs ≥70 years) and by sex.  

The results showed that at admission, GH levels averaged 2.86 ± 0.78 μg/L and remained within the normal range of 75.6% of individuals. No significant GH level differences were observed between survivors and non-survivors, IGF-1 levels averaged 76.23 ± 5.67 μg/L at baseline, positioned at the lower end of normal, and declined to 66.8 μg/L at 48–72 hours post-admission (P = 0.14). A more rapid reduction in IGF-1 levels was observed among non-survivors, while survivors maintained relatively stable concentrations. Higher IGF-1 levels were noted in younger and male individuals, whereas older and female individuals experienced a more pronounced decline.  

Investigators concluded that GH levels remained stable without prognostic significance while declining IGF-1 levels were associated with disease severity and potential liver dysfunction, suggesting IGF-1 as a biomarker and therapeutic target in CS. 

Source: joe.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/joe/265/3/JOE-25-0077.xml