Using galectin-3 to reduce heart failure rehospitalization.
Increasing attention is being paid towards reducing short-term heart failure readmissions in recent years. Biomarkers such as galectin-3 are likely to play pivotal roles in future heart failure management strategies as they can provide objective information on various pathophysiologic processes involved in heart failure. Galectin-3 is a biomarker of inflammation and fibrosis, which is strongly associated with adverse remodeling of the myocardium and subsequent left ventricular dysfunction. Clinically, elevated galectin-3 levels are associated with increased risk for short- and long-term risk for mortality and heart failure readmission. Galectin-3 can provide incremental predictive value for adverse events over natriuretic peptides. Although significant work is still required to further define the role of galectin-3, it has the potential to become an important part of future heart failure management algorithms by helping to provide an individualized risk profile, which can be used to optimize resource allocation and improve treatment outcomes.
Division of Cardiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
Yang
Y
Xue
Alan
A
Maisel
W Frank
WF
Peacock
D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001798:Blood Proteins; D005355:Fibrosis; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D037161:Galectins; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood; D010359:Patient Readmission; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling
D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D037502:Galectin 3; D037161:Galectins; C428445:LGALS3 protein, human; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain