Correlation between coronary artery disease and Galectin 3 serum level: Angiographic based study

Background: Galectin 3 (Gal-3) has great impact on initiation and progression of atherosclerosis as a cardiovascular inflammatory marker. The role of Gal-3 in coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a subject of debate. CAD and atherosclerosis are an inflammatory process. Aim of the work: to evaluate Gal-3 concentrations among patients with CAD presented with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). Patients and Methods: 252 individuals were divided into control group with normal coronary angiography and patient group with obstructive CAD which was further subdivided according to the clinical presentations into ACS and CCS subgroups. All groups were matched for age and sex. Results: significantly higher Gal-3 values were found in CAD group, ACS subgroup, and CCS subgroup versus control group. Gal-3 values were significantly higher in ACS subgroup compared with CCS subgroup. Gal-3 concentrations demonstrated a non-significant association with age and EF. Gal-3 levels showed significant positive relationship with Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score in CAD group, CCS subgroup, and ACS subgroup. Gal-3 concentrations demonstrated significant positive relationship with the number of stenotic coronary arteries and segments in CAD group and CCS subgroup but not in ACS subgroup. Gal-3 was found to significantly predict coronary artery disease. Conclusions: Gal-3 concentrations correlated with CAD's presence and severity. We recommend the integration of Gal-3 in the diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive modules of CAD.