Association of ST2, Galectin-3, and NT- Probnp in Elderly Hypertensive Patients and Heart Failure with a Preserved Ejection Fraction

Purpose The objective of this study was to explore the relationship among serum levels of the growth-stimulating expressed gene 2 protein (ST2), Galectin-3(GAL-3), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in elderly hypertensive patients and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Materials and Methods Eighty-five elderly hypertensive patients with HFpEF were registered as the HFpEF group, and 46 hypertensive patients without HF were registered as the Non-HF group. The levels of serum sST2 (soluble ST2), Galectin-3, and NT-proBNP were measured, and related indexes of heart function were performed with echocardiography in two groups, respectively.The obtained variables were applied to statistical software for analysis. Results Age, BMI, SBP, DBP, TC, LDL-C, HCY, sST2, Galectin-3, NT- proBNP, LVEDD, IVSD, LVEF, and E/A were obviously different between the two groups (p < 0.05). The levels of sST2, Galectin-3 and NT- proBNP in the HFpEF group were higher than in the Non-HF group (P < 0.05). ANOVA results indicated that sST2, Galectin-3, and NT- proBNP levels increased gradually with the increasing NYHA grades (P<0.05). BMI, SBP, DBP, TC, LDL-C, FBG,UA, HCY, LVEDD, IVSD, LVEF, and E/A were significant differences in patients with different NYHA classes (P < 0.05). Spearman indicated that sST2, Galectin-3, and NT-proBNP were positively correlated with BMI, SDP, DBP, LDL-C, FBG, and HCY (P < 0.05). Logistic analysis indicated that BMI, SBP, DBP, FBG, HCY,sST2, Galectin-3, NT-proBNP, LVEDD, LVEF, and E/A were risk factors for hypertension with HFpEF. (P < 0.05). ROC indicated that the AUC of the diagnostic performance of sST2, Galectin-3, and NT-proBNP were all above 0.7, which may have some forecasting value for elderly hypertensive patients with HFpEF. Conclusion The levels of sST2, Galectin-3, and NT-proBNP were closely related to cardiac function grades. sST2, Galectin-3, and NT-proBNP have similar diagnostic performance and predictive value for elderly hypertensive patients with HFpEF. sST2 was more sensitive than NT-proBNP. It is recommended that measurements of sST2, Galectin-3 and NT-proBNP levels in elderly hypertensive patients may be useful in classifying early HFpEF.