Arq. Bras. Cardiol. 2020; 114(4): 690-691
Galectin-3 in Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis: Accurate Information for the Good Doctor
This Short Editorial is referred by the Research article "Galectin-3 Levels in Patients with Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis".
Galectin-3 (Gal-3), which is now known as a new biomarker, has traveled the rigorous scientific pathway from discovery to validation. Experimental and clinical studies described its elevation in several situations, such as tumors, renal failure and heart failure. Its administration caused myocardial fibrosis and heart failure (HF). Its genetic suppression or inhibition prevented fibrosis and remodeling, that is, the cause-and-effect relationship had been proven. Elevated levels of Gal-3 show a worse prognosis, as they predict sudden death. Galectin-3 was an independent predictor in the short and medium term of hospitalizations and of mortality in patients with HF, especially those with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
The biomarker can assist the clinician in their diagnostic dilemmas, in assessing the prognosis and even guiding the therapy. The HFpEF is an example of condition where all help is welcome. Multiple comorbidities, less typical conditions, especially in the elderly and obese, can be confusing. HFpEF is one of the situations where Gal-3 can greatly assist in diagnostic confirmation.
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