#196 - Galectin-3 as a Prognostic Biomarker of Disease Severity and Mortality in Decompensated Cirrhosis and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Introduction and Objectives Acute decompensation and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF) are associated with systemic inflammation, organ failure and high short-term mortality. Galectin-3 is involved in immune activation and tissue injury, but its clinical relevance in decompensated cirrhosis (DC) and ACLF remains insufficiently defined. Here, we aim to evaluate the association between serum Galectin-3 levels, disease severity, and 90-day mortality in patients with DC and ACLF. Materials and Methods A prospective 90-day cohort study was conducted on patients admitted with acutely decompensated cirrhosis. Baseline clinical and biochemical data were collected. Galectin-3 was measured by ELISA and classified as high 25.67 ng/dL. ACLF was defined according to the EASL-CLIF criteria. Disease severity was assessed using MELD-Na, CLIF-OF and CLIF-ACLF scores. The primary outcome was short term mortality, evaluated at 7, 28 and 90 days. Results Among 152 patients, 21 (13.8%) had acute decompensation, 35 (23%) ACLF grade 1, 51 (33.6%) grade 2 and 45 (29.6%) grade 3. Patients with high Galectin-3 had higher ( p<0.05 ) MELD-Na (31 ± 7 vs 26 ± 7), CLIF-OF (12[11-13] vs 11 [10-12]); and CLIF-ACLF scores (54 [46.5-61] vs 47.5 [41-55]). High Galectin-3 was associated with more frequent ACLF grade 3, higher hepatic and renal failure and increased 90-day mortality (73.7% vs 51.3%). Kaplan-Meier curves showed significantly worse survival at 7, 28 and 90-days (Figure 1). Conclusions Galectin-3 is a clinically relevant biomarker in DC and ACLF, with higher serum levels associated with greater disease severity, organ failure and increased 90-day mortality.