Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9880
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2155-9880
+44 1300 500008
M. Gwechenberger, R. Pacher, M. Clodi, M. Resl, R. Wurm, G. Strunk, J. Mascherbauer, M.Huelsmann
Medical University of Vienna, Austria
Konventhospital Barmherzige Brueder,Austria
Complexity research, Austria
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Exp Cardiolog
Background: Patients with diabetes have an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Serum Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a novel biomarker and has been associated with diabetes and heart failure. However, data on the predictive value of Gal-3 on outcome are limited. We evaluated the prognostic role of Gal-3 for cardiovascular events in diabetic patients. Methods: Nine hundred one consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes were followed for cardiac events. The primary endpoint was defined as a composite endpoint of unplanned cardiac hospitalization and all-cause mortality. The secondary endpoints were defined as a) unplanned hospitalization and b) all-cause mortality. Gal-3 was tested to predict end points in the context of known other predictors, especially N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Results: The mean age of the patients was 59.3�±13.8 years (55.1% male), duration of diabetes was 12.5�±12.1 years and the mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was 7.5 �±1.5%. The median Gal-3 and NT-proBNP serum levels were 25.7�±19.0 ng/ ml and 272.3�±445.2 pg/ml respectively. After a mean follow up of 56.5 (IQR 60-61) months 23.2% of patients reached the primary endpoint. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a worse outcome in patients with elevated Gal-3. Elevated Gal-3 levels were predictive for the primary endpoint (p<0.0001). However, it was not predictive for outcome after adjustment for age, gender, NT-proBNP, body mass index (BMI) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The same observation was made for secondary endpoints. In contrast NT- proBNP was a significant predictor of all endpoints. Conclusions: Serum Gal-3 is associated with cardiovascular outcome in diabetic patients. However when compared with established risk predictors like NT-proBNP, its value is limited.
Marianne Gwechenberger is specialized in cardiology, electrophysiology and heart failure.