Review of the Prognostic Value of Galectin-3 in Heart Failure Focusing on Clinical Utility of Repeated Testing
- PDF / 256,569 Bytes
- 6 Pages / 595.276 x 790.866 pts Page_size
- 40 Downloads / 172 Views
REVIEW ARTICLE
Review of the Prognostic Value of Galectin-3 in Heart Failure Focusing on Clinical Utility of Repeated Testing Francisco Javier Carrasco-Sa´nchez Marı´a Inmaculada Pa´ez-Rubio
•
Ó Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014
Abstract Galectin-3 is a soluble b-galactoside-binding lectin released by activated cardiac macrophages. Elevated levels of galectin-3 have been found to be associated with adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure. A number of recent studies suggest that galectin-3 may provide relevant information regarding the pathophysiologic process of heart failure. We analyzed the most recent and comprehensive studies which are focused on the association between galectin-3 and heart failure. Galectin-3 has also been associated with acute and chronic heart failure. Although most of the studies involved patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction, galectin-3 seems to have more accurate role in heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. However, the mechanism of this relationship and its clinical implications remain uncertain. Some studies have not been able to prove the association between galectin-3 and heart failure, so there are many questions to answer. Galectin-3 has also been involved to renal dysfunction, so it could be a mediator of worsening renal function. Serial measurement of galectin-3 could provide further prognostic information in heart failure patients.
F. J. Carrasco-Sa´nchez (&) M. I. Pa´ez-Rubio Internal Medicine Department, Complejo Hospitalario de Huelva, Hospital Juan Ramo´n Jime´nez, Ronda Norte s/n 21005, Huelva, Spain e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
Key Points Galectin-3 is a novel biomarker involve in the prognosis of heart failure The role of galectin-3 seems to be more accurate in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction Serial measurements of serum galectin-3 levels might not provide extra prognosis information in heart failure patients
1 Introduction Heart failure (HF) is a large medical and epidemiological condition with high morbidity and mortality. Early identification of high-risk patients improves outcomes because physicians can personalize the management of their patients. Many biomarkers have been proposed over the last years, but natriuretic peptides in particular brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its N-terminal part (NTproBNP) are still extensively used in clinical practice. Galectin-3 (Gal3) is a soluble b-galactoside-binding lectin secreted by immune cells that regulate fibrogenesis, inflammation, cell proliferation, and tissue repair [1, 2]. It is also involved in cancer, liver disease, renal disease and various rheumatologic conditions [3]. Gal3 has recently been involved in the pathophysiology of HF through mediation of myocardial fibrosis and inflammation, contributing to myocardial remodeling [4]. Serum levels of Gal-3 seem to be a prognostic marker of outcomes in patients with HF measured by death and/or readmissions for decom
Data Loading...
