Increased serum activin A level in congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary artery hypertension: A comparative study from the COHARD-PH registry.

Activin A, a member of TGF-β superfamily, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). PAH due to congenital heart disease (CHD-PAH) is a major problem in developing countries. Activin A may have a role in PAH development and progression among uncorrected CHD. In this comparative study, serum activin A level was significantly increased in subjects with uncorrected CHD without the presence of PH and were more significantly risen in CHD-PAH, as compared to control. The utilization of serum activin A measurement seems promising to identify uncorrected CHD patients with PAH development and progression.