Assessment of the Relationship between Galectin-3 and Ejection Fraction and Functional Capacity in the Patients with Compensated Systolic Heart Failure

Background: Galectin-3 is a soluble ß-galactoside–binding lectin released by activated cardiac macrophages. Galectin-3 has been proposed for diagnosis and prognosis of HF patients.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between galectin-3 as a biomarker and ejection fraction and functional capacity in the patients with compensated systolic heart failure.

Patients and Methods: In this study, serum levels of Galectin-3 were measured in 76 patients with compensated heart failure with New York Heart Association class I–IV and left ventricular ejection fraction < 45%. Galectin-3 was measured by an ELISA kit. Besides, echocardiography was used to evaluate left ventricular ejection fraction. Additionally, functional capacity was determined based on the patients’ ability to perform a set of activities. After all, the data were analyzed used t-test, Kruskal-Wallis, one–way ANOVA, and chi-square test. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: The patients’ age ranged from 45 to 75 years, with the mean age of 63.85 ± 9 years. In addition 57.9% of the patients were male. The results revealed no significant correlation between Galectin-3 and age, body mass index, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Also, no significant correlation was observed between Galectin-3 levels and left ventricular ejection fraction (P = 0.166) and functional capacity (P = 0.420). Yet, a significant difference was found between males and females regarding the mean of Galectin-3 (P = 0.039).

Conclusions:: The study results suggested that Galectin-3 could not be used as a marker of disease progression in the patients under treatment, which could probably be the result of medication use in these patients.