Final answer:
The ejection fraction decreases in congestive heart failure, while Beta-natriuretic peptide levels, cardiac remodeling, and Interleukin-1 might increase or change in response to the condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of congestive heart failure, certain parameters change as the condition progresses. When asked which of the following decreases in congestive heart failure, the correct answer is the ejection fraction. The ejection fraction refers to the percentage of blood that is pumped out of the ventricles with each heartbeat, and it typically decreases as heart failure worsens. On the other hand, Beta-natriuretic peptide (also known as B-type natriuretic peptide or BNP) levels usually increase in heart failure because it is released by the heart in response to excessive stretching of heart muscle cells. The body produces BNP as a counter-regulatory mechanism to reduce blood volume and pressure. Cardiac remodeling is a term that refers to the changes in size, shape, and function of the heart after injury to the myocardium. It is a process that grows in response to chronic pressure overload, and it can lead to heart failure if untreated. Lastly, Interleukin-1 (IL-1), a proinflammatory cytokine, can be elevated in heart failure as part of the inflammatory response that occurs in the body. Therefore, out of all the options provided, only the ejection fraction decreases in congestive heart failure.