Prognostic value of the interaction between galectin-3 and antigen carbohydrate 125 in acute heart failure

The Role of Antigen Carbohydrate 125 in Modulating Soluble ST2: Prognostic-Related Effects in Acute Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a complex syndrome associated with high mortality and hospital readmissions, characterized by volume overload and inflammation. Soluble ST2 (sST2) and antigen carbohydrate 125 (CA125) are emerging biomarkers that reflect these processes and may interact to influence long-term outcomes in AHF patients. This study aims to examine the prognostic relationship between sST2 and CA125 in predicting mortality and heart failure (HF)-related hospitalizations in patients with decompensated heart failure.

METHODS

In a cohort of 635 patients with AHF, we investigated whether the prognostic value of sST2 varies according to CA125 levels (≤35 vs. >35 U/mL). The endpoints were: (a) time to all-cause death, and (b) the combination of time to death or new HF admission.

RESULTS

This study of EAHFE registry data shows that the association between sST2 and long-term adverse outcomes (mortality and HF hospitalizations) in patients with AHF was differentially influenced by CA125 concentrations (p-value for interactions = 0.031 and 0.029, respectively). Higher sST2 was associated with the risk of death and the combined risk of death/HF readmission when CA125 was >35 U/mL [HR = 1.02 (CI 95%: 1.01-1.04), p = 0.006 and 1.02 (CI 95%: 1.01-1.03); p = 0.013 per increase in 10 ng/mL, respectively], but not when CA125 was ≤35 U/mL.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the prognostic interaction between sST2 and CA125 in AHF. Elevated sST2 predicts poor outcomes mainly in patients with high CA125 levels (>35 U/mL), suggesting CA125's role in modulating inflammatory activity in HF. Further research is needed.

Galectin-3 as a Prognostic Biomarker of Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation Outcomes

We assessed the prognostic potential of Galectin-3 in a sample of 159 heart failure patients who received a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implant from 2012 to 2020. Clinical outcomes included hemodynamic data, right heart failure (RHF), hemocompatibility-related adverse events (HRAEs), and mortality. Galectin-3 was compounded into Michigan-RVF and EUROMACS-RHF risk scores and compared to the noncompounded risk scores. Right heart failure was significantly correlated with Galectin ( p = 0.004) on a continuous spectrum. Inotrope duration was significantly correlated to Galectin-3 (interquartile range [IQR]: 7.58-8.65, p < 0.001) along with INTERMACS score (IQR: 2.14-1.90, p < 0.001). Intensive care unit length of stay (median 8 days, p = 0.02), blood urea nitrogen ( p < 0.001), creatinine ( p < 0.001), and pulmonary artery pulsatility index ( p = 0.05) were also significantly correlated with Galectin-3. In our c-statistic analysis, the predictive value for RHF improved when Galectin-3 was included for both the Michigan-RVF (0.80-0.86) and EUROMACS-RHF (0.77-0.82) risk scores. When elevated over a binary cutoff of 18.2 ng/ml, Galectin-3 significantly correlated with HRAEs ( p = 0.014) and mortality ( p = 0.031). Galectin-3 shows great promise as a predictive biomarker in patients implanted with durable LVADs. In addition to significant correlation with key clinical outcomes, Galectin-3 enhanced the Michigan-RVF and EUROMACS-RHF risk scores in predicting progression to RHF.

The modulating effect of circulating carbohydrate antigen 125 on ST2 and long-term recurrent morbidity burden

Soluble ST2 (sST2) is released in response to vascular congestion, inflammation, and pro-fibrotic stimuli. In heart failure (HF), elevated levels of sST2 are associated with a higher risk of adverse clinical outcomes. Emerging evidence suggests that carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) may act as a ligand that modulates the inflammatory response. We hypothesized that CA125 might be modulating sST2 activity. In a cohort of 160 patients with acute (AHF) and renal dysfunction, we investigated whether the prognostic value of sST2 varies according to CA125 levels. The endpoints were: (a) total cardiovascular and renal hospitalizations and (b) all-cause mortality during follow-up. Cox regression analyses assessed the association between admission sST2 and endpoints across CA125 (≤ 35 vs. > 35 U/ml). This sub-study of the IMPROVE-HF trial shows that sST2 predicted the composite of cardiovascular or renal rehospitalizations when CA125 was elevated (> 35 U/ml) but not when CA125 ≤ 35 U/ml. These results highlight a potential biological interaction between sST2 and CA125, suggesting that CA125 status may refine the prognostic utility of sST2 in AHF. Clinically, these insights could guide personalized risk stratification and management strategies in this high-risk population.

Heart failure biomarkers and prediction of early left ventricle remodeling after acute coronary syndromes

INTRODUCTION

Several biomarkers are characteristically elevated in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Our hypothesis was they could predict early changes in left ventricular (LV) characteristics in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. The objective of this study was two-fold: a) compare circulating concentrations of NT-pro BNP, CA-125, ST2, galectin-3 and pro-adrenomedullin among 4 groups of individuals (healthy controls; patients with ACS without AHF; patients with ACS and AHF and patients admitted for AHF); and b) evaluate whether these biomarkers predict adverse LV remodeling and ejection fraction changes in ACS.

METHODS

6 biomarkers (NT-pro BNP, CA-125, ST2, galectin-3, pro-adrenomedullin and C-reactive) were measured within the first 48 h of admission. Echocardiograms were performed during admission and at 3 months. Variables associated with LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) and ejection fraction (LVEF) change were assessed by multivariate linear regression.

RESULTS

We analyzed 51 patients with ACS, 16 with AHF and, 20 healthy controls. NT-pro BNP and ST2 concentrations were elevated at similar values in patients admitted for AHF and ACS complicated with HF but CA-125 concentrations were higher in AHF patients. NT-pro BNP concentrations were positively correlated with CA-125 (rho = 0.58; p < 0.001), ST2 (rho = 0.58; p < 0.001) and galectin-3 (rho = 0.37; p < 0.001) Median change (median days was 83 days after) in EDV and LVEF was 5 %. CA-125 concentrations were positively associated to LV EDV change (β-coefficient 1.56) and negatively with LVEF trend (β-coefficient = -0.86). No other biomarker predicted changes in EDV or LVEF.

CONCLUSIONS

CA-125 correlates with early LV remodeling and LVEF deterioration in ACS patients.

Carbohydrate antigen 125 on epicardial fat and its association with local inflammation and fibrosis-related markers

BACKGROUND

Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) is a proteolytic fragment of MUC-16 that is increased in heart failure (HF) and associated with inflammation, fluid overload, and worse adverse events. Our main objective was to study the expression of CA125 on epicardium and its association with inflammation, adipogenesis, and fibrosis.

METHODS

Epicardial fat biopsies and blood were obtained from 151 non-selected patients undergoing open heart surgery. Immunohistochemistry, ELISA, or real-time PCR were used for analyzing protein or mRNA expression levels of CA125 and markers of inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, and adipocytes. Epithelial or stromal cells from epicardium were isolated and cultured to identify CA125 and its association with the adipogenesis and fibrosis pathways, respectively.

RESULTS

The median age was 71 (63-74) years, 106 patients (70%) were male, and 62 (41%) had an established diagnosis of HF before surgery. The slice of epicardial fat biopsy determined a positive and colorimetric staining on the epithelial layer after incubating with the CA125 M11 antibody, providing the first description of CA125 expression in the human epicardium. Epicardial CA125 showed a strong and positive correlation with markers of inflammation and fibrosis in the epicardial fat tissue while exhibiting a negative correlation with markers of the adipogenesis pathway. This relationship remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders such as a prior HF diagnosis and plasma CA125 levels.

CONCLUSION

Epicardial cells express CA125, which is positively associated with inflammatory and fibroblast markers in epicardial adipose tissue. These results suggest that CA125 may be biologically involved in HF progression (transition from adipogenesis to fibrosis).

Carbohydrate antigen 125: a useful marker of congestion, fibrosis, and prognosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

AIMS

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a disease associated with high morbidity and mortality, for which it is difficult to identify patients with the poorest prognosis in routine clinical practice. Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA 125) has been shown to be a potential marker of congestion and prognosis in HF. We sought to better characterize HFpEF patients with high CA 125 levels by using a multimodal approach.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We prospectively enrolled 139 HFpEF patients (78 ± 8 years; 60% females) and 25 controls matched for age and sex (77 ± 5 years; 60% females). They underwent two-dimensional echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance with late gadolinium enhancement [including extracellular volume (ECV) measurement], and serum measurements of CA 125 level. The primary endpoint of the study was a composite of all-cause mortality or first HF hospitalization. The prognostic impact of CA 125 was determined using Cox proportional hazard models. Median CA 125 levels were significantly higher in HFpEF patients compared with controls [CA 125: 23.5 (14.5-44.7) vs. 14.6 (10.3-21.0) U/mL, P = 0.004]. CA 125 levels were positively correlated with a congestion marker [N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, Pearson's r = 0.37, P < 0.001] and markers of cardiac fibrosis estimated by both ECV (Pearson's r = 0.26, P = 0.003) and fibroblast growth factor 23 levels (Pearson's r = 0.50, P < 0.001). Over a median follow-up of 49 (22-64) months, 97 HFpEF patients reached the composite endpoint. Even after adjustment for the Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic risk score, a CA 125 level ≥35 U/mL was still a significant predictor of the composite endpoint [hazard ratio (HR): 1.58 (1.04-2.41), P = 0.032] and more particularly of HF hospitalization [HR: 1.81 (1.13-2.92), P = 0.014]. In contrast, NT-proBNP levels were not an independent predictor.

CONCLUSIONS

CA 125 levels were significantly higher in HFpEF patients compared with controls matched for age and sex and were associated with markers of congestion and cardiac fibrosis. CA 125 levels were a strong and independent predictor of HF hospitalization in HFpEF patients. These data suggest a potential value of CA 125 as a biomarker for staging and risk prediction in HFpEF.

Carbohydrate Antigen 125 (CA 125): A Novel Biomarker in Acute Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Heart failure is a global major healthcare problem with millions of hospitalizations annually and with a very high mortality. There is an increased interest in finding new and reliable biomarkers for the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic guidance of patients hospitalized for acute heart failure; Our review aims to summarize in an easy-to-follow flow recent relevant research evaluating the possible use and the clinical value of measuring CA 125 serum levels in acute HF.

METHODS

A thorough search in the main international databases identified a relevant pool of 170 articles, providing recently published data for this narrative review that used PRISMA guidelines.

RESULTS

There are data to sustain the role of carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA 125), a worldwide used marker of ovarian cancer, in patients with heart failure. Several studies have shown links between CA 125 levels and congestion seen in acute heart failure, high mortality and readmission rates at 6 months follow-up after discharge from acute heart failure and also a role of CA 125 in the guidance of heart failure therapy. There are also clinical trials that showed that several particularities of CA 125 make it even better than N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP)-a classical and more utilized marker of heart failure) in several scenarios of acute heart failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the mechanism behind the upregulation of serum CA 125 in patients with congestive HF has not been confirmed nor fully understood.

Carbohydrate antigen 125 in congestive heart failure: ready for clinical application?

Congestion is the permanent mechanism driving disease progression in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) and also is an important treatment target. However, distinguishing between the two different phenotypes (intravascular congestion and tissue congestion) for personalized treatment remains challenging. Historically, carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) has been a frequently used biomarker for the screening, diagnosis, and prognosis of ovarian cancer. Interestingly, CA125 is highly sensitive to tissue congestion and shows potential for clinical monitoring and optimal treatment of congestive heart failure (HF). Furthermore, in terms of right heart function parameters, CA125 levels are more advantageous than other biomarkers of HF. CA125 is expected to become a new biological alternative marker for congestive HF and thereby is expected be widely used in clinical practice.

CA125, Galectin-3 and FGF-23 are interrelated in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Background

Carbohydrate Antigen 125 (CA125) is the most widely used biomarker in ovarian cancer screening. In patients with heart failure (HF), increased levels of CA125 have been observed and related to disease severity. Our objective was to determine the association of CA125 levels with two biomarkers of adverse remodeling in HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods

CA125 circulating levels were determined with an electrochemiluminscent immunoassay. Concentrations of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-terminal proBNP (Nt-proBNP), Galectin-3 and Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) were also measured by immunoassays.

Results

CA125 levels were increased in HFrEF, were associated to disease severity according NYHA classes. Median CA125 concentration was also significantly related to cardiovascular mortality. CA125 concentrations were positively and significantly associated to Galectin-3 and FGF23.

Conclusions

Concentrations of CA125 are increased in patients with HFrEF, associated to disease severity and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. CA125 levels are also correlated to Galectin-3 and FGF-23, two biomarkers related to fibrosis and cardiovascular remodeling.

Carbohydrate Antigen 125: A Biomarker at the Crossroads of Congestion and Inflammation in Heart Failure

Because heart failure (HF) is more lethal than some of the common malignancies in the general population, such as prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women, there is a need for a cost-effective prognostic biomarker in HF beyond natriuretic peptides, especially concerning congestion, the most common reason for the hospitalisation of patients with worsening of HF. Furthermore, despite diuretics being the mainstay of treatment for volume overload in HF patients, no randomised trials have shown the mortality benefits of diuretics in HF patients, and appropriate diuretic titration strategies in this population are unclear. Recently, carbohydrate antigen (CA) 125, a well-established marker of ovarian cancer, emerged as both a prognostic indicator and a guide in tailoring decongestion therapy for patients with HF. Hence, in this review the authors present the molecular background regarding the role of CA125 in HF and address valuable clinical aspects regarding the relationship of CA125 with both prognosis and therapeutic management in HF.

Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) as a prognostic marker in the elderly with acute heart failure and preserved ejection fraction

BACKGROUND

Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) has emerged as a new biomarker in heart failure. The objective of the study is to determine whether serum CA125 levels predict total mortality and readmissions at one year in patients >70 years old with acute heart failure (AHF) and preserved ejection fraction (PEF).

METHODS

Multicenter prospective observational study, which included 359 patients (mean age 81.5 years). The primary endpoint was total all-cause mortality and total readmissions for AHF at 1 year. A negative binomial regression technique was used to evaluate the association between CA125 and both endpoints.

RESULTS

At one year of follow-up, 87 deaths (24.2%) were registered. The patients in the lower quartile of CA125 had a lower crude mortality rate (14.4%, 26.7, 26.7, 29.2; p=0.09). After multivariate analysis, the CA125 value was positively associated with a higher risk (p=0.009). Such association was also positive but borderline significant for the risk of readmissions (p=0.089).

CONCLUSIONS

In a population older than 70 years hospitalized for AHF with PEF, elevated levels of CA125 are associated with an increased risk of death at one year of follow-up. The association with readmission for AHF was more uncertain. Low levels of CA125 identifies a subgroup at low-risk.

Antigen carbohydrate 125 as a biomarker in heart failure: a narrative review

Congestion explains many of the signs and symptoms of acute heart failure (AHF) and disease progression. However, accurate quantification of congestion is challenging in daily practice. Antigen carbohydrate 125 (CA125) or mucin 16 (MUC16), a large glycoprotein synthesized by mesothelial cells, has emerged as a reliable proxy of congestion and inflammation in patients with heart failure (HF). In AHF syndromes, CA125 is strongly associated with right-sided HF parameters and a higher risk of adverse clinical events beyond standard prognostic factors, including natriuretic peptides. Furthermore, CA125 has the potential for both monitoring and guide HF treatment following a decompensated HF event. The wide availability of CA125 in most clinical laboratories, together with its standardized measurement and reduced cost, makes this marker attractive for routine use in decompensated HF. Further research is required to understand better its biological role and its promising utility as a tool to guide decongestive therapy in HF.

Circulating galectin-3 on admission and prognosis in acute heart failure patients: a meta-analysis

Changes of serum galectin-3 have been associated with the pathogenesis of many cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic role of serum galectin-3 in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) in a meta-analysis. Follow-up studies evaluating the association between serum galectin-3 on admission and clinical outcomes in AHF patients were identified via search of PubMed and Embase databases. A random effects or a fixed effects model was applied to pool the results depending on the heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis was used to evaluate the influences of study characteristics on the outcomes. Overall, 7057 AHF patients from eighteen follow-up studies were included. Higher serum galectin-3 was associated with higher risks of all-cause mortality (adjusted risk ratio [RR], 1.58; p < 0.001), mortality/HF rehospitalization (RR, 1.68; p < 0.001), and cardiovascular mortality (RR, 1.29; p = 0.04), but not HF rehospitalization (RR, 1.24; p = 0.25) in AHF patients. Subgroup analyses showed that study characteristics including study design, sample size, age, gender, left ventricular ejection fraction, galectin-3 variable type, follow-up duration, and adjustment of type B natriuretic peptide did not significantly impact the results. Significant heterogeneities were detected for the outcomes of all-cause mortality and mortality/HF rehospitalization. However, trim-and-fill analyses by including the imputed studies to generate symmetrical funnel plots showed similar significant meta-analysis results. These results suggested that higher serum galectin-3 may be associated with poor prognosis in AHF patients. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms underlying the potential prognostic role of galectin-3 in AHF.

Biomarkers in diagnosing and treatment of acute heart failure

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a complex disorder involving different pathophysiological pathways. In recent years, there is an increased focus on biomarkers that help with diagnosis, risk stratification and disease monitoring of AHF. Finding a reliable set of biomarkers not only improves morbidity and mortality but it can also potentially reveal the new targets of therapy. In this paper, we have reviewed the biomarkers found useful for the diagnosis as well as for risk stratification and prognostication in patients with AHF. We have discussed the established biomarkers for AHF including cardiac troponins and natriuretic peptides and emerging biomarkers including adiponectin, mi-RNA, sST2, Gal-3, MR-proADM, OPG, CT-proAVP and H-FABP for the purposes of making diagnosis, their use as a guide of therapy or for determination of prognosis.

Redefining biomarkers in heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is the end result of many different cardiac and non-cardiac abnormalities leading to a complex clinical entity. In this view, the use of biomarkers in HF should be deeply reconsidered; indeed, the same biomarker may carry a different significance in patients with preserved or reduced EF. The aim of this review is to reconsider the role of biomarkers in HF, based on the different clinical characteristics of this syndrome. The role of cardiac and non-cardiac biomarkers will be reviewed with respect of the different clinical manifestations of this syndrome.

Differential Prognostic Value of Galectin-3 According to Carbohydrate Antigen 125 Levels in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) have been associated with adverse outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Experimental data have suggested a potential molecular interaction. Therefore, we assessed the association of Gal-3 and CA125 with prognosis after TAVI.

METHODS

A total of 439 patients were enrolled. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality or readmission for worsening heart failure after TAVI.

RESULTS

The primary endpoint occurred in 16.4%. Gal-3 was dichotomized at ≥ 8.71 ng/mL into elevated and not elevated. Gal-3 was elevated in 31.9% and was associated with a higher risk of the primary endpoint (25% vs 12.4%, HR, 2.26; P<.001). After multivariable adjustment, the association of elevated Gal-3 with the primary endpoint was borderline significant (HR, 1.59; P=.068). CA125 was dichotomized at ≥ 18.4 U/mL, accordingly. CA125 was elevated in 51.9% and was also associated with a higher risk of the primary endpoint (25.4% vs 6.6%, HR, 4.20; P<.001). After multivariable adjustment, elevated CA125 (HR, 2.83; P=.001) remained independently associated with the primary endpoint. A differential prognostic effect of Gal-3 was found across CA125 status (P for interaction=.048). Elevated Gal-3 was associated with a higher risk of the primary endpoint when CA125 was elevated (38.8% vs 18.2%, HR, 2.02; P=.015) but lacked significance when CA125 was not elevated (6.6% vs 6.7%, HR, 1.16; P=.981).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing TAVI, Gal-3 predicted adverse clinical outcomes only when CA125 was elevated.

Cancer antigen-125 and outcomes in acute heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA125) is an ovarian cancer marker, but recent work has examined its role in risk stratification in heart failure. A recent meta-analysis examined its prognostic value in heart failure generally. However, there has been no systematic evaluation of its role specifically in acute heart failure (AHF).

METHODS

PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched until 11 May 2018 for studies that evaluated the prognostic value of CA125 in AHF.

RESULTS

A total of 129 and 179 entries were retrieved from PubMed and EMBASE. Sixteen studies (15 cohort studies, 1 randomised trial) including 8401 subjects with AHF (mean age 71 years old, 52% male, mean follow-up 13 months, range of patients 525.1±598.2) were included. High CA125 levels were associated with a 68% increase in all-cause mortality (8 studies, HRs: 1.68, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.07; p<0.0001; I2: 74%) and 77% increase in heart failure-related readmissions (5 studies, HRs: 1.77, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.59; p<0.01; I2: 73%). CA125 levels were higher in patients with fluid overload symptoms and signs compared with those without them, with a mean difference of 54.8 U/mL (5 studies, SE: 13.2 U/mL; p<0.0001; I2: 78%).

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis found that high CA125 levels are associated with AHF symptoms, heart failure-related hospital readmissions and all-cause mortality. Therefore, CA125 emerges as a useful risk stratification tool for identifying high-risk patients with more severe fluid overload, as well as for monitoring following an AHF episode.

Nano-sized CA125 antigen glycocamouflage: Mucin - Extracellular vesicles alliance to watch?

Mucin 16 (MUC16) is a transmembrane type mucin and its released extracellular portion is designated as CA125 antigen. It is considered to be part of a supramolecular glycoprotein complex having a complicated epitope map and extreme structural heterogeneity. Starting from the initial transmembrane localization of MUC16/CA125 antigen and its alternative routes of release by shedding or putative secretion, CA125 antigen from human amniotic fluid soluble and extracellular vesicles (EVs)-containing fractions were characterized aiming at the possible glycosylation-associated mode of distribution as a factor contributing to the reported conflicting structural data. Ultracentrifugation, sucrose density gradient centrifugation, ion-exchange chromatography and TEM were used for analysis. The results indicated that the smeared abundantly glycosylated high molecular mass CA125-immunoreactive species, which follow the wheat germ agglutinin-binding pattern, were shared across amniotic fluid soluble and particulate fractions. A lower molecular mass glycoprotein-like CA125-immunoreactive species which follows the peanut agglutinin-binding pattern and was specifically associated with the EVs-enriched fraction was observed. CA125 presentation in the particulate amniotic fluid fraction was found to be shaped by a complex interactome partially involving lactose-sensitive galectin-3 binding. The MUC16 - EVs alliance as well as heterogeneous mucin/macromolecular complexes, at membranes or extracellularly, may represent cryptic pools of distinct CA125 species.

ANMCO/ELAS/SIBioC Consensus Document: biomarkers in heart failure

Biomarkers have dramatically impacted the way heart failure (HF) patients are evaluated and managed. A biomarker is a characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological or pathogenic processes, or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention. Natriuretic peptides [B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP] are the gold standard biomarkers in determining the diagnosis and prognosis of HF, and a natriuretic peptide-guided HF management looks promising. In the last few years, an array of additional biomarkers has emerged, each reflecting different pathophysiological processes in the development and progression of HF: myocardial insult, inflammation, fibrosis, and remodelling, but their role in the clinical care of the patient is still partially defined and more studies are needed before to be well validated. Moreover, several new biomarkers have the potential to identify patients with early renal dysfunction and appear to have promise to help the management cardio-renal syndrome. With different biomarkers reflecting HF presence, the various pathways involved in its progression, as well as identifying unique treatment options for HF management, a closer cardiologist-laboratory link, with a multi-biomarker approach to the HF patient, is not far ahead, allowing the unique opportunity for specifically tailoring care to the individual pathological phenotype.

Galectin-3 as a marker for clinical prognosis and cardiac remodeling in acute heart failure

BACKGROUND

Galectin-3 has been reported as a mediator of heart failure (HF) development and progression. Most studies, however, have been conducted on patients with chronic HF rather than acute HF (AHF). The aim of this study was to confirm galectin-3 as a prognostic marker in subjects with AHF and to investigate its possible relationship with left ventricular (LV) remodeling.

METHODS

A total of 69 patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of AHF were followed up for 18 months. Galectin-3 and echocardiographic parameters were measured at baseline and after 6 months. Survival analysis and exploratory analysis of LV remodeling were performed.

RESULTS

Patients with high baseline galectin-3 values (>16.5 ng/ml) had a significantly worse survival profile over the 18-month follow-up (log-rank test, p = 0.017), with Cox proportional hazards modeling showing a crude hazard ratio (HR) of 4.66 (95% CI = 1.16-18.67; likelihood-ratio test, p = 0.037) for all-cause mortality. Changes in galectin-3 levels (1 SD increase over 6 months) proved to be a significant explanatory factor for HF hospital re-admission in the short term when compared with quasi-stationary galectin-3 levels: worse Kaplan-Meier survival curves (log-rank test, p = 0.001) and a crude HR of 4.44 (95% CI = 1.76-11.18; likelihood-ratio test, p = 0.004). A significant association was found between the pathological evolution of relative wall thickness, LV end-diastolic diameter, LV end-diastolic volume, and increasing levels of galectin-3 in the short term (Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Galectin-3 can predict long-term mortality in patients with AHF. The results of our study suggest a possible relation between left ventricular remodeling and increasing galectin-3 levels.

The current status of heart failure diagnostic biomarkers

Heart failure (HF) affects approximately 23 million individuals worldwide and this number is increasing, due to an aging and growing population. Early detection of HF is crucial in the management of this debilitating disease. Current diagnostic methods for HF rely heavily on clinical imaging techniques and blood analysis, which makes them less than ideal for population-based screening purposes. Studies focusing on developing novel biomarkers for HF have utilized various techniques and biological fluids, including urine and saliva. Promising results from these studies imply that these body fluids can be used in evaluating the clinical manifestation of HF and will one day be integrated into a clinical workflow and facilitate HF management.