C-terminal proendothelin-1 (CT-proET-1) is associated with organ failure and predicts mortality in critically ill patients

Background Endothelin 1 (ET-1) is a strong vasoconstrictor, which is involved in inflammation and reduced tissue perfusion. C-terminal proendothelin-1 (CT-proET-1) is the stable circulating precursor protein of ET-1. We hypothesized that CT-proET-1, reflecting ET-1 activation, is involved in the pathogenesis of critical illness and associated with its prognosis.