Galectin-3 as the Prognostic Factor of Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Long-Term Follow up in Patients after Myocardial Infarction—A Pilot Study

Abstract

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a new independent risk factor in the development and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the study was to evaluate whether Gal-3 concentration has prognostic value and if it reflects the progression of atherosclerosis in carotid arteries in patients with CAD after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The analysis included 110 patients who were hospitalized due to AMI, treated with primary coronary intervention (PCI) and further attended a follow-up visit, and 100 healthy volunteers. The Gal-3 concentration and carotid ultrasound were evaluated at baseline and on a follow-up visit. We found that the Gal-3 concentration in the group with hyperlipidemia decreased during the observation (10.7 vs. 7.9 ng/mL, p = 0.00003). Patients rehospitalized during follow up had higher concentration of Gal-3 in the acute phase of myocardial infarction (MI) (10.7 vs. 7.2 ng/mL, p = 0.02; 10.1 vs. 8.0 ng/mL, p = 0.002, respectively). In the group of patients who had none of the following endpoints: subsequent MI, PCI, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or stroke, there was a decrease in Gal-3 concentration at the follow-up visit. Parameters affecting the frequency of a composite endpoint occurrence are: the presence of atheromatous plaque in the carotid artery (p = 0.017), Gal-3 (p = 0.004) and haemoglobin (p = 0.03) concentration. In multivariate analysis, only Gal-3 concentration higher than 9.2 ng/mL at discharge was associated with a nine-fold increase of risk of composite endpoint occurrence (p = 0.0005, OR = 9.47, 95% CI 2.60–34.45). A significant decrease in Gal-3 concentration was observed in the group of patients after AMI without the endpoint occurrence during observation.

Galectin-3 in Cardiovascular Diseases

“…In patients with CAD after AMI, a significant decrease in Gal-3 concentration was observed in subjects without acute events during follow-up observation [110].…”

IGFBP7 Concentration May Reflect Subclinical Myocardial Damage and Kidney Function in Patients with Stable Ischemic Heart Disease

“…To summarize our research, it seems that the multi-marker approach, combining measuring well-established cardiac-specific markers such as NTproBNP and troponin T with “new” ones such as IGFBP7 or galectin-3 [ 28 ], will become a daily routine in our future medical practice.…”

From Classic to Modern Prognostic Biomarkers in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

“…In addition, Przemyslaw et al found, in a pilot study undertaken on patients with AMI, that Gal3 levels greater than 9.2 ng/mL at discharge alone correlated with a ninefold increase in the risk of composite endpoint appearance [ 163 ]. George et al and Przemyslaw et al showed that there is a significant negative association when it comes to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and levels of Gal3, low rates being observed in those presenting high concentrations of Gal3; at the same time, it was shown that there was a positive concordance with creatinine levels ( p = 0.02) [ 159 , 163 ]. In the study performed by Agatha et al, Gal3 presented increased baseline levels in patients with STEMI who reached the primary endpoint (HF occurrence at 1 year follow-up) ( p < 0.001) [ 164 ].…”