The prognostic impact of serum galectin-3 in elderly patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction on short-term and mid-term hospital outcomes

Background In addition to objective signs of cardiac dysfunction, heart failure (HF) is a complicated mechanical and neurohumoral disease characterized by hemodynamic congestion that manifests as peripheral edema, dyspnea, orthopnea, or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. HF is one of the most expensive medical disorders due to its high morbidity and mortality rate, even with advancements in therapy. High morbidity and death are linked to HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). A biomarker of inflammation and fibrosis, galectin-3 (Gal-3) has gained attention as a possible prognostic indicator. This study assesses the short-term and mid-term prognostic significance of serum Gal-3 levels in elderly patients with HFrEF. Objective Assessing the relationship between serum Gal-3 levels and morbidity/mortality in elderly HFrEF patients is the main goal of the current study. Patients and methods A prospective cohort study included 140 elderly HFrEF patients (aged >65years) stratified into two groups: group I (high Gal-3, ≥22 ng/dl, n=70) and group II (low Gal-3, <22 ng/dl, n=70). Echocardiography, laboratory, and clinical data were examined. Among the results were valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, irregular wall motion, and mortality. Results Group I had significantly higher mortality (30 vs.14.3%, P=0.025), worse left ventricular ejection fraction at follow-up (47.28 vs. 54.21%, P=0.004), and higher rates of coronary artery disease (64.3 vs. 31.4%, P=0.0098), and valvular heart disease (58.6 vs.30%, P=0.019). Gal-3 predicted mortality with 69% sensitivity, 66% specificity, and 67% accuracy (area under the curve=0.67, P=0.032). Conclusion Elevated serum Gal-3 is a significant predictor of adverse outcomes in elderly HFrEF patients, supporting its role in risk stratification.