Co-Effect of Serum Galectin-3 and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol on the Prognosis of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Goal: The association of combined galectin-3 and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) with prognosis of acute ischemic stroke remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the coeffect of galectin-3 and HDL-C on death and vascular events within 1 year after ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: Based on China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke, a prospective study was conducted among 2970 patients with acute ischemic stroke. The primary outcome was a combination of death and vascular events within 1 year after ischemic stroke. The secondary outcomes were separately those of recurrent stroke, vascular events, and death. Findings: The multivariate adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of primary outcome, recurrent stroke, and vascular events were 1.54 (1.07-2.20), 1.78 (1.08-2.95), and 1.92 (1.26-2.94), respectively, in patients with both high galectin-3 and low HDL-C compared to those with both low galectin-3 and high HDL-C. The addition of galectin-3 and HDL-C to conventional factors significantly improved predictive value. Net reclassification index was 15.7% for primary outcome, 18.3% for recurrent stroke, and 20.5% for vascular events. Conclusion: Combination of high galectin-3 and low HDL-C was associated with primary outcome, recurrent stroke, and vascular events within 1 year after ischemic stroke, suggesting that the combination of galectin-3 and HDL-C may be used to identify the individuals at risk of poor prognosis after ischemic stroke.