Plasma Galectin-3 predicts deleterious vascular dysfunction affecting post-myocardial infarction patients: An...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Biomarker Research
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Previous analysis identified high systemic vascular resistance (SVR) during myocardial infarction (MI) healing, indicating vascular dysfunction and hindering cardiac recovery.
• This study investigates patients with persistent high SVR remotely from MI, using cardiovascular MRI and blood biomarkers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize patients with high SVR 6 months after MI.
• To identify predictors of high SVR using cardiovascular MRI parameters and blood biomarkers, including Galectin-3.

Main Methods:

• 121 patients underwent MRI and blood sampling 2-4 days and 6 months post-MI.
• Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) was monitored using phase-contrast MRI.
• Patients were categorized into normal SVR (SVR-), newly high SVR (SVR+), and persistently high SVR (SVR++).

Main Results:

• High SVR groups (SVR+ and SVR++) showed lower cardiac function recovery compared to SVR-.
• Baseline Galectin-3 levels were significantly higher in SVR+ and SVR++ groups (p < 0.05).
• Plasma Galectin-3 independently predicted high SVR at 6 months (p = 0.002).

Conclusions:

• Plasma Galectin-3 is a significant predictor of persistent high SVR and impaired cardiac recovery post-MI.
• This finding suggests Galectin-3 indicates deleterious vascular dysfunction after MI.
• Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these results and explore therapeutic targets.