Prognosis value of galectin-3 in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: a metaanalysis

Background . Accurate prediction and assessment of myocardial fibrosis (MF) and adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) are crucial in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Several studies indicate that galectin-3 (gal -3) as a promising prognostic predictor in patients with DCM. Methods . A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for relevant studies up to August 2023. The hazard ratios (HRs) of gal -3 for MACEs in DCM patients, and for MACEs in LGE(+) versus LGE(-) groups, were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA SE 14.0 software. Results . Seven studies, encompassing 945 patients, met the eligibility criteria. In DCM patients, abnormally elevated gal -3 levels were indicative of an increased MACEs risk (HR = 1.10, 95% CI [1.00-1.21], I 2 = 65.7%, p = 0 . 008). Compared with the LGE(-) group, the level of gal -3 in LGE(+) group was higher (HR = 1.12, 95% CI [1.05-1.19], I 2 = 31.4%, p = 0 . 233), and the combination of gal -3 and LGE significantly improved the prediction of MACEs. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of all results. Conclusions . This study's findings suggest that elevated gal -3 levels significantly correlate with increased MACE risk in DCM, highlighting its potential as a biomarker. However, significant heterogeneity among studies necessitates further research to ascertain gal -3's predictive and diagnostic value in DCM prognosis, particularly in conjunction with LGE.