Galectin-3 correlates with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and predicts the risk of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with implantable defibrillators

Abstract

Background Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is a heritable disorder characterized by fibro-fatty replacement of right ventricular myocytes, increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Galectin-3 (GAL3) is known to play an important role in a number of fibrotic conditions, including cardiac fibrosis. Many studies have focused on the association between GAL3 levels and cardiac fibrosis in heart failure. However, the role of GAL3 in the pathogenesis of ARVD and ventricular arrhythmias has not yet been evaluated thoroughly. The aim of this study was to explore GAL3 levels in patients with ARVD and its association with ventricular arrhythmias. Methods Twenty-nine patients with ARVD and 24 controls were included. All patients with ARVD had an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) for primary or secondary prevention. Ventricular arrhythmia history was obtained from a chart review and ICD data interrogation. Galectin-3 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Patients with ARVD had higher plasma GAL3 levels (16.9 +/- 2.6 ng/mL vs 11.3 +/- 1.8 ng/mL, P < 0.001) than the control group. Ten patients had sustained or non-sustained ventricular arrhythmias during follow-up. In the multivariable analysis, left ventricular disease involvement (HR: 1.05; 95% CI: [1.01-1.12]; P = 0.03); functional capacity > 2 (HR: 1.21; 95% CI: [1.13-1.31]; P < 0.005); and GAL3 levels (HR: 1.05; 95% CI: [1.00-1.11]; P = 0.01) independently predicted VT/VF. Conclusion We demonstrated that serum GAL3 was significantly elevated in patients with ARVD. Also, serum GAL 3 levels could be regarded as a candidate biomarker in the diagnosis of ARVD which needs to be tested in larger prospective studies. In addition, GAL3 levels were higher in patients with VT/VF as compared with those without VT/VF.