The Effect of COVID-19 Vaccines on Chronic Inflammatory Remodeling in NSTEMI Patients: A Galectin-3-Based...

Background: This study evaluated the potential effects of different COVID-19 vaccine platforms (mRNA and inactivated) on acute coronary syndrome (ACS) through Galectin-3, a biomarker of chronic inflammation and fibrosis. It aimed to compare serum Galectin-3 levels among NSTEMI patients according to COVID-19 vaccination status and vaccine type. Methods: A total of 75 patients with NSTEMI were prospectively enrolled and categorized into three groups: inactivated vaccine recipients (n = 25), mRNA vaccine recipients (n = 25), and unvaccinated controls (n = 25). Serum Galectin-3 levels were measured to assess chronic inflammatory status. Additionally, markers of acute myocardial injury and inflammatory response were analyzed. Results: Galectin-3 levels were similar across the inactivated vaccine, mRNA vaccine, and unvaccinated NSTEMI group, with no statistically significant difference observed (p = 0.481). Although troponin I levels and acute inflammatory cell burden were higher in vaccinated patients compared with the unvaccinated NSTEMI group, Galectin-3 levels remained comparable among all groups. No significant differences in Galectin-3 levels were observed according to vaccination status or vaccine type. Conclusions: In this exploratory cohort of NSTEMI patients, serum Galectin-3 levels did not differ significantly according to COVID-19 vaccination status or vaccine type. These findings suggest no detectable association between vaccination history and Galectin-3 levels in the study population. Larger prospective studies with longitudinal follow-up are needed to confirm these observations.