Research Article
Onur Sinan Deveci, Aziz Ina
Abstract
Objectıve: It has been aimed to investigate the Galectin-3 (GAL-3) levels and clinical responses after addition of spironolactone as a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) to the current treatment in patients with heart failure with low ejection fraction who received no aldosterone antagonist therapy previously. Patıents and methods: The study included 112 patients with Heart Failure (HF) who showed left ventricular Ejection Fraction (EF) of 35% or below, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II-IV symptoms and did not receive MRAs in their current treatment. Serum Gal-3 levels, serum BNP level, 6-minute walk test and class level of NYHA were examined before and 6 months after treatment of spironolactone in all patients. Results: Mortality developed in 10 of 112 patients. Baseline and 6th month follow-up data obtained from 102 of 112 patients. Mean LVEF (%), BNP levels, Gal-3 levels, NYHA class of functional capacity and mean 6-minute walking test distance of the patients before treatment of spironolactone were 31.3 ± 3.2%, 451,4 ± 50.3 pg/ml, 39 ± 21 ng/ml, 2,8 ± 0.59 and 305 ± 61 m respectively whereas, the same variables were found 32.1 ± 2,8% (p=0.21), 443.6 ± 49 pg/ml (p=0.23), 33 ± 22 ng/ml (p=<0.001), 2,5 ± 0.47 (p=0.037) and 386 ± 87 m (p=<0.001) respectively at 6th follow-up after treatment of spironolactone. Conclusıon: Spironolactone use is associated with regression of Gal-3 along with clinical improvement in HF symptoms. This may suggest that Gal-3 apart from being a biomarker of HF may also be a bio-target in HF management.