To identify changes in annexin II, V and VI isoforms that might occur in human heart failure, we measured mRNA and protein levels of these three annexins in transplanted left ventricular tissue of 12 patients with end-stage congestive heart failure due to coronary artery disease (CAD, n=6) or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM, n=6) who underwent cardiac transplantation.