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Comparative study of galectin-3 and B-type natriuretic peptide as biomarkers for the diagnosis of heart failure
Qiu-Sheng Yin1, Bing Shi1, Lan Dong1
1Department of Geriatric Cardiology, General Hospital of Beijing Command of PLA, Beijing 100700, China.
Insights
Galectin-3 is a useful biomarker for diagnosing heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), showing high sensitivity. It complements B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in HFpEF diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomarker Research
- Heart Failure Diagnostics
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) diagnosis relies on complex assessments including medical history, symptoms, echocardiography, and biochemical tests.
- Galectin-3, a biomarker for HF risk stratification, was FDA-approved in 2010.
- This study evaluates galectin-3 for HF diagnosis in patients with preserved ejection fraction (pEF), comparing it with B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP).
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess galectin-3 as a diagnostic biomarker for HF in patients with pEF.
- To compare the diagnostic performance of galectin-3 with BNP in pEF patients.
- To determine the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of both biomarkers in HFpEF diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Enrolled 35 pEF patients with HF (HFpEF group) and 43 pEF patients without HF (control group).
- Measured plasma levels of galectin-3 and BNP in both groups.
- Calculated and compared sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and accuracy for both biomarkers.
Main Results:
- Galectin-3 and BNP levels were significantly higher in the HFpEF group compared to controls (P < 0.01).
- Galectin-3 demonstrated 94.3% sensitivity and 65.1% specificity at 17.8 ng/mL.
- BNP showed 77.1% sensitivity and 90.7% specificity at 100 pg/mL; ROC curves were comparable (0.891 vs. 0.896).
Conclusions:
- Galectin-3 levels are significantly elevated in patients with HF.
- Both galectin-3 and BNP are valuable biomarkers for diagnosing HF in patients with pEF.
- Galectin-3 offers higher sensitivity, while BNP provides greater specificity for HFpEF diagnosis.
Background:
Heart failure (HF) is a common disease with complex pathophysiological causes. The diagnosis of HF commonly relies on comprehensive analyses of medical history and symptoms, and results from echocardiography and biochemical tests. Galectin-3, a relatively new biomarker in HF, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2010 as a marker in the stratification of risk for HF. We assessed galectin-3 as a biomarker for HF diagnosis in patients with preserved ejection fraction (pEF) and compared its performance with that of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP).
Methods:
Thirty-five pEF patients with HF (HFpEF group) and 43 pEF patients without HF (control group) were enrolled. Plasma levels of galectin-3 and BNP in HFpEF and control subjects were determined. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and accuracy of galectin-3 and BNP as markers for HF diagnosis were calculated and compared.
Results:
Levels of galectin-3 and BNP were 23.09 ± 6.97 ng/mL and 270.46 ± 330.41 pg/mL in the HFpEF group, and 16.74 ± 2.75 ng/mL and 59.94 ± 29.93 pg/mL in the control group, respectively. Differences in levels of galectin-3 and BNP between the two groups were significant (P < 0.01). As a biomarker for HF diagnosis in study subjects, galectin-3 showed sensitivity and specificity of 94.3% and 65.1%, respectively, at a cutoff value of 17.8 ng/mL. BNP showed sensitivity and specificity of 77.1% and 90.7%, respectively, at a cutoff value of 100 pg/mL. Galectin-3 was a significantly more sensitive (P < 0.05) but less specific (P < 0.01) biomarker compared with BNP. Differences in positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy between galectin-3 and BNP markers were not significant (P > 0.05). Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (95% confidence interval) were 0.891 (0.808-0.974) and 0.896 (0.809-0.984) for galectin-3 and BNP, respectively, with no significant difference between the two values (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
The level of galectin-3 is significantly elevated in patients with HF. Galectin-3 and BNP are useful biomarkers for the diagnosis of HF in patients with pEF.
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