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Galectin-3 Levels in Patients with Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis
Fábio Fernandes1,2, Dirceu Thiago Pessoa de Melo1, Felix José Alvarez Ramires1,2
1HC, FM, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Arquivos Brasileiros De Cardiologia
|June 4, 2020
Summary
Galectin-3 (Gal-3) levels were normal in patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis (CCP) before surgery. Post-surgery, Gal-3 correlated with exercise intolerance, suggesting its prognostic value in CCP patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomarkers
- Inflammation
Background:
- Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a proinflammatory and profibrotic molecule linked to heart failure pathogenesis.
- The role of Gal-3 in chronic constrictive pericarditis (CCP) remains unclear.
- This study investigates Gal-3 in CCP patients undergoing pericardiectomy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess plasma Gal-3 levels in CCP patients.
- To correlate Gal-3 with clinical, functional, and histological parameters.
- To evaluate Gal-3's role in exercise capacity before and after pericardiectomy.
Main Methods:
- Prospective evaluation of 25 symptomatic CCP patients and 21 healthy controls.
- Measurements included plasma Gal-3, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET).
- CPET was repeated 6 months post-pericardiectomy.
Main Results:
- CCP patients showed no significant difference in Gal-3 levels compared to controls.
- Pre-pericardiectomy Gal-3 did not correlate with BNP, imaging, or histological findings.
- Post-pericardiectomy, Gal-3 significantly correlated with reduced exercise duration and test time (r = -0.79, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- CCP patients exhibit normal plasma Gal-3 levels.
- Gal-3 does not correlate with disease severity or function before pericardiectomy.
- Post-pericardiectomy Gal-3 levels may predict exercise intolerance and prognosis.
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