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Galectin-3: A Link between Myocardial and Arterial Stiffening in Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure?

Radu Ioan Lala1, Dan Darabantiu1, Luminita Pilat1

  • 1Vasile Goldis West University Arad, Romania.

Arquivos Brasileiros De Cardiologia
|January 14, 2016
PubMed

Insights

High galectin-3 levels in heart failure patients did not correlate with arterial stiffness but predicted impaired ventricular-arterial coupling and poorer outcomes. This biomarker may indicate increased pulmonary artery pressures.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomarkers
  • Vascular Physiology

Background:

  • Heart failure is linked to abnormal ventricular-vascular interaction, increased myocardial and arterial stiffness.
  • Galectin-3, a biomarker, is implicated in myocardial and vascular fibrosis, contributing to heart failure progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between galectin-3 levels and arterial stiffening markers.
  • To assess the relationship between galectin-3 and impaired ventricular-arterial coupling in decompensated heart failure.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluated 79 inpatients with acute decompensated heart failure.
  • Measured serum galectin-3, performed echocardiography, and Doppler ultrasonography for vascular indices.

Main Results:

  • No correlation found between galectin-3 and arterial stiffening markers (pulse wave velocity, carotid distensibility, Young's modulus).
  • Elevated galectin-3 correlated with impaired ventricular-arterial coupling (Ea/Elv ratio) and lower rates of left ventricular pressure rise.
  • High galectin-3 and pulmonary artery pressure were independent risk factors for mortality and readmissions.

Conclusions:

  • Serum galectin-3 levels do not correlate with arterial stiffening in heart failure.
  • High galectin-3 levels predict impaired ventricular-arterial coupling and may indicate elevated pulmonary artery pressures.
  • Elevated galectin-3, along with pulmonary hypertension, are independent predictors of adverse outcomes in heart failure.
Abstract

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