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Galectin-3 is related to right ventricular dysfunction in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction and

Beata Zaborska1, Grażyna Sygitowicz2, Krzysztof Smarż3

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Grochowski Hospital, Grenadierów 51/59, 04-073, Warsaw, Poland. zaborska@kkcmkp.pl.

Scientific Reports
|October 8, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Elevated galectin-3 in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients may signal right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and exercise intolerance. This biomarker is linked to worse RV function and exercise capacity in HFrEF.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomarkers
  • Heart Failure Research

Background:

  • Galectin-3 is a known biomarker for fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
  • Its precise role in cardiac remodeling and exercise intolerance in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains unclear.
  • Understanding galectin-3's impact is crucial for managing HFrEF patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum galectin-3 concentrations and right ventricular (RV) function and exercise capacity in symptomatic HFrEF patients.
  • To determine if galectin-3 is an independent predictor of RV dysfunction and exercise intolerance in this population.
  • To explore the relationship between galectin-3 and specific echocardiographic and cardiopulmonary exercise testing parameters.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective assessment of 67 consecutive HFrEF patients (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%) on optimal medical therapy.
  • Measurement of serum galectin-3 concentrations, echocardiographic parameters (including RV function), and pulmonary artery pressures.
  • Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) to evaluate exercise capacity.

Main Results:

  • Patients with galectin-3 levels at or above the median exhibited significantly impaired RV systolic function (s', TAPSE), higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and more severe tricuspid regurgitation.
  • No significant differences in left ventricular parameters were observed between high and low galectin-3 groups.
  • The high galectin-3 group demonstrated significantly lower exercise capacity parameters during CPET.
  • Multivariate analysis identified TAPSE and heart rate at peak exercise as independent predictors of galectin-3 concentration.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated serum galectin-3 in HFrEF patients is associated with concomitant right ventricular dysfunction and reduced exercise capacity.
  • Galectin-3 may serve as a valuable biomarker for identifying HFrEF patients at risk of RV impairment and exercise intolerance.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the therapeutic implications of targeting galectin-3 in HFrEF management.

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