Integrative Assessment of the Diagnostic Significance of the microRNA (-21, -29a, -133a) Panel in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Comparison With the Control Group

AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic significance of a microRNA panel (-21, -29a, -133a) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) by comparing their expression levels to a group with moderate arterial hypertension (comparison group). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comparative study was conducted involving 80 individuals: 40 patients with confirmed HCM and 40 sex- and age-matched controls (22 men, 18 women, mean age 55.3±13.3 years). All participants underwent a comprehensive examination at the cardiology department, including electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography with full assessment of intracardiac hemodynamic parameters, Holter ECG monitoring, and laboratory tests. For molecular biological analysis, plasma expression levels of circulating microRNAs (-21, -29a, -133a) were determined for all participants using real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Circulating microRNA levels differed significantly between patients with HCM and the comparison group. The analysis showed a significant increase in the microRNA-21 expression (4.07 vs. 2.03; p