Plasma galectin-3 as a biomarker for clinical staging of heart failure: a cross-sectional evaluation of 100 cases

ObjectivesTo evaluate the plasma galectin-3 concentration associated with the severity of HF and its use as a biomarker for clinical staging of heart failure (HF). MethodThis was a cross-sectional study, in which 100 HF cases diagnosed by clinical parameters and echocardiography were included and subgrouped into NYHA classes (I–IV) based on clinical severity and functional limitations. Plasma galectin-3 was measured with respect to these subgroups. ResultsThe median plasma galectin-3 concentration in pg/mL was 82.7 (95% confidence interval: 64.5–112.7), 267.2 (214.3–293.5), 694.8 (626.4–902.4), and 1530.4 (1443.1–2384.4) in NYHA class I, II, III, and IV subgroups, respectively (p 1170 pg/mL, respectively. Galectin-3 was negatively correlated with LV Ejection fraction (EF) by Simpson’s biplane method (r=-0.634, p<0.001). Pro BNP showed that the level of plasma galectin-3 was positively correlated with the level of plasma NT pro BNP (r = 0.878, p < 0.001). ConclusionsThe plasma galectin-3 concentration showed progressive increase with increasing severity of HF; therefore, it may be used in clinical staging of the disease