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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Galectin-3 as a new biomarker of diastolic dysfunction in hemodialysis patients
Ozgul Malcok Gurel1, Hakki Yilmaz, Tugrul H Celik
1Department of Cardiology, Turgut Ozal University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Galectin-3 (gal-3) shows promise as a biomarker for detecting left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Higher gal-3 levels correlate with LVDD severity in this population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomarker Research
- Nephrology
Background:
- Galectin-3 (gal-3) is recognized as a prognostic biomarker in heart failure (HF).
- Emerging evidence suggests gal-3 plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of HF.
- This study investigates the association between gal-3 and diastolic dysfunction in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between plasma galectin-3 levels and left ventricular diastolic function.
- To assess gal-3 as a potential biomarker for left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in hemodialysis patients.
Main Methods:
- Plasma gal-3 levels were measured in 87 chronic HD patients and 45 healthy controls.
- Echocardiography and pulsed tissue Doppler were used to assess left ventricular diastolic function.
- Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) was defined by E' < 8 cm/s, with the E/E' ratio as the primary determinant.
Main Results:
- HD patients with LVDD exhibited significantly higher gal-3 concentrations (23.30 ng/ml) compared to controls (16.05 ng/ml) and HD patients with normal diastolic function (14.54 ng/ml).
- Plasma gal-3 levels strongly correlated with E/E' ratio (r=0.933), left atrial volume index (r=0.713), and E' (r=-0.685).
- ROC analysis identified a gal-3 cut-off of 20.12 ng/ml for LVDD diagnosis, with 67.6% sensitivity and 84.6% specificity (AUC=0.803).
Conclusions:
- Galectin-3 may serve as a valuable biomarker for identifying left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
- These findings highlight the potential clinical utility of gal-3 in managing heart failure complications in dialysis patients.
Background:
Galectin-3 (gal-3) is an emerging prognostic biomarker in heart failure (HF). Clinical and experimental studies suggest that gal-3 is an important mediator of HF. Here we aimed to examine the relationship between gal-3 and diastolic dysfunction in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD).
Methods:
We examined the relationship between plasma gal-3 levels and left ventricular diastolic function. Plasma gal-3 was measured in 87 subjects with chronic HD and in 45 healthy controls using biochemical evaluations. Conventional echocardiography and pulsed tissue Doppler assessment were performed in all patients. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) was defined as E' < 8 cm/s. The E/E' ratio was used as the main determinant of LVDD grade.
Results:
The mean gal-3 concentrations were: 16.05 ng/ml (13.89-19.75) in healthy controls; 14.54 ng/ml (10.85-17.65) in HD patients with normal diastolic function; and 23.30 ng/ml (20.12-26.87) in HD patients with LVDD (p < 0.01). Plasma gal-3 levels correlated with E/E' (r = 0.933, p < 0.01), left atrial volume index (r = 0.713, p < 0.01), and E' (r = -0.685, p < 0.01). ROC analysis showed that the best gal-3 cut-off point for the diagnosis of LVDD was 20.12 ng/ml with a sensitivity of 67.6 % and specificity of 84.6 % (AUC = 0.803).
Conclusion:
We suggest that gal-3 may be a promising biomarker for the detection of LVDD in HD patients.
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