Abstract
Galectin-3 (Gal-3) as a biomarker of fibrosis and inflammation has been implicated in the development and progression of heart failure (HF) and may predict increased morbidity and mortality in society. In this preliminary report we investigated the utility of a novel serum marker for the diagnosis of acute HF (AHF). The study involved 14 AHF patients aged 67.0 ± 14.6 yrs. with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 29.29 ± 10.73%, hospitalized at the Intensive Coronary Care Unit, where the research took place. In addition, a control group consisting of 19 volunteers who were age, gender and ethnically matched to the HF group was recruited. In the study group, the concentrations of Gal-3, NT-proBNP, hsCRP and basic clinical parameters, such as prevalence of dyspnea and LVEF were determined. The concentration of Gal-3 in serum was examined by an automated quantitative test (VIDAS® Galectin-3, bioMerieux SA, France) using the ELFA technique. The survival rate was assessed after a 12-month follow-up. The median (IQR) Gal-3 concentrations in patients with AHF were higher (nearly 2.1-times) than in the control group - 17.8 (10.3-27.8) ng/mL vs. 8.4 (6.5-11.0) ng/mL; p = 0.0007. In our study group, the median (IQR) of concentrations of NT-proBNP 4723 (1415-29725) pg/mL and hsCRP 10.0 (4.9-13.9) mg/L were observed. In those patients, the statistically significant correlation (Spearman's rank-correlation coefficient) between the concentrations of Gal-3 and NT-proBNP (Rs = 0.565; p = 0.035) as well as the value of LVEF and the concentration of hsCRP (Rs = -0.663; p = 0.020) were stated. The serum Gal-3 concentrations were significantly higher among the 4 HF patients (28.6%) who had died than among the HF patients who were alive after this time (n = 10) (55.6 ± 37.6 ng/mL vs. 15.0 ± 7.04 ng/mL; p = 0.005). Higher expression of Gal-3 is an indicator of myocardial fibrosis and remodeling in decompensated HF. Therefore, galectin-3 seems to be an interesting and valuable marker of AHF.
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