Sharma A, Greene S, Vaduganathan M, et al. - This study was undertaken to explore the relationships between growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), cardiovascular outcomes, and exercise capacity among patients with a recent hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Data were used from the ‘Functional Impact of GLP-1 for Heart Failure Treatment’ study to address these knowledge gaps. Researchers designed a randomized clinical trial to investigate the effect of liraglutide (vs. placebo) among 300 participants with HFrEF and a recent HHF. Multivariable regression models were used to assess the relationships between baseline GDF-15 and change in GDF-15 (per 1000 pg/mL increase from baseline to 30 days) with clinical outcomes (at 180 days) and declines in exercise capacity (6 min walk distance ≥ 45 m). Among patients in HFrEF, an increase in GDF-15 over 30 days was independently correlated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular events and declining exercise capacity. As per the findings, these outcomes support the value of longitudinal GDF-15 trajectory in informing risk of heart failure disease progression.