title: Galectin-3: a novel blood test for the evaluation and management of patients with heart failure.
abstract: Replacement of functional myocytes with crosslinked collagen as a result of tissue         fibrosis is a final common pathway that is central to the progression of heart         failure (HF), irrespective of etiology. In response to a variety of mechanical and         neurohormonal stimuli, macrophages secrete galectin-3, which works as a paracrine         and endocrine factor to stimulate additional macrophages, pericytes, myofibroblasts,         and fibroblasts. The response to this signal is cellular proliferation and secretion of         procollagen I. This protein is then irreversibly crosslinked to form collagen and result         in cardiac fibrosis. With a commercially available assay, galectin-3 can now be         measured in blood and has been found to aid in the prognosis of both systolic and         nonsystolic HF. Measurement of galectin-3 before hospital discharge, on outpatient         evaluation for suspected HF, and approximately twice per year for those with stable         symptoms is supported by the evidence available at this time. Levels > 25.9 ng/mL,         independent of symptoms, clinical findings, and other laboratory measures, predict a         patient who is likely to have rapid progression of HF, resulting in hospitalization         and death. In addition, a doubling in galectin-3 level over the course of 6 months,         irrespective of baseline value, identifies a high-risk patient in whom additional care         management efforts and advanced therapies could be warranted.
authors.affiliation: St. John Providence Health System, Providence Hospital and Medical Center, Providence Park Heart Institute, Novi, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: McCullough
authors.forename: Ariyo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olobatoke
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Vanhecke
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018450:Disease Progression; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000097:blood*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D037502:Galectin 3