Diagnostic Potential of UCHL1 in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Inclusion Criteria: * Admission for decompensated HF (traditional diagnostic criteria will be utilized for diagnosing ADHF - presence of dyspnea as presenting complaint; evidence of volume overload - peripheral or pulmonary edema, elevated jugular venous pressure \> 10 cmH2O, presence of hepatojugular reflux, or ascites; elevated B-type Natriuretic Peptide (\>100ng/ml); evidence of pulmonary vascular congestion on chest x-ray1, or Admission for dyspnea that is NOT related to ADHF (absence of all HF symptoms and signs mentioned in ADHF inclusion criteria- except for dyspnea as presenting complaint) * Able to give informed consent * Age \>= 18 years Exclusion Criteria: * Mortality during inpatient observation * Presence of acute stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) * Presence of intracranial hemorrhage * History of acute stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) or intracranial hemorrhage within the preceding 6 months * Presence of decompensated liver disease (elevated ALT/AST; ascites; Acute variceal bleeding; or hepatic encephalopathy) * Presence of sepsis * Presence of severe hyponatremia (Serum sodium \< 130 meq/L) * Active malignancy (undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or planned surgical intervention) * SARS-CoV-2 positive during the current admission