Upon enrollment in the study, Troponin I (cTn I), BNP, norepinephrine, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble receptor of interleukin 2 (sIL-2R), leptin, prealbumin, free malondialdehyde, 15-F2t-isoprostane and protein-bound nitrotyrosine were measured in stable ambulatory, non diabetic, elderly heart failure patients. Patients were followed up until death or study termination (31st January 2009).