Role of Galectin-3 in diagnosis and severity assessment of epicardial artery lesions in patients with suspected coronary artery disease

Abstract

Abstract Background.This study aimed to investigate a possible role of serum galectin-3 (Gal-3) levels in diagnosis and assessment of significant epicardial artery lesions in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods. This was a single center retrospective cohort study including 168 subjects with suspected CAD and indications for coronary angiography divided into three groups: percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) group (N 64), coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) group (N 57), and group with no coronary stenosis (N 47). Gal-3 levels were measured and the syntax score (Ss) was calculated. Results: The mean value of Gal-3 in the PCI and CABG group was 19.98 ng/ml, while in the control group it was 9.51 ng/ml (t=9.075, p < 0.001). The highest value of Gal-3 was found in the group of subjects with three-vessel disease (t=-3.652b, p<0.001). When subgroups were analyzed by Gal-3 levels (< 17.8 ng/ml low, 18.8-25.9 ng/ml intermediate, > 25 ng/ml high risk) there was a significant difference between at least two Gal-3 groups for the arithmetic mean of Syntax score (IF=13,898, p<0.001). The syntax I’s arithmetic mean at low and intermediate risk Gal-3 levels was significantly lower than at high-risk Gal-3 levels (p<0.001). Conclusion. Gal-3 could be used as an additional tool for diagnosis and severity assessment of atherosclerotic disease in patients with suspected CAD. Furthermore, it could help identify high risk subjects in patients with stable CAD.