Galectin-3 reflects the echocardiographic quantification of right ventricular failure.

. Galectin-3 (gal-3) is a mediator of extracellular matrix metabolism and reflects an ongoing cardiac fibrotic process. The aim of this study was to determine the potential use of gal-3 in evaluating the structural and functional parameters of the right ventricle as determined by echocardiography. Ninety-one patients undergoing routine echocardiography were prospectively enrolled in this monocentric study. Serum samples for gal-3 and aminoterminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were collected within 24 h of echocardiographic examination. Patients were arbitrarily divided into subgroups based on right ventricular function as measured by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and these included TAPSE >24 mm ( = 23); TAPSE 18-24 mm ( = 55); TAPSE ≤17 mm ( = 13); permitting the detailed statistical analysis of derived data. Serum levels of gal-3 in all patients correlated with age ( = 0.36.  < .001), creatinine ( = 0.60,  < .001), NT-proBNP ( = 0.53,  < .001), RA area ( = 0.38,  < .001) and TAPSE ( = -0.3.  < .01). The distribution of echocardiographic indices according to TAPSE subgroups revealed an association between gal-3 and its ability to identify patients with right ventricular failure (RVF) as diagnosed by a TAPSE ≤17 mm ( = 0.04,  < .001). The multivariable logistic regression model with adjusted odds ratio showed the ability of gal-3 to identify RVF when adjusted to age and gender (adjusted odds ratio 3.60, 95% CI 1.055-12.282,  < .05). Gal-3 correlated with echocardiographic indices of RVF and could effectively diagnose these patients. The supplementary use of NT-proBNP strengthened the diagnostic capability of each biomarker. The 'Cardiovascular Imaging and Biomarker Analyses' (CIBER Study), clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03074253. Registered 3/8/2017. https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03074253.