Integrating echocardiographic parameters and novel biomarkers such as galectin-3 and pentraxin-3 in the assessment of heart failure severity

Abstract

Risk stratification in heart failure (HF) remains challenging. Echocardiographic indices such as TAPSE/PASP and E/(Em × Sm) may capture ventricular performance, while novel biomarkers including Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and Pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) have uncertain value.

We evaluated 131 patients (62 without HF, 59 NYHA II, 10 NYHA III). Echocardiographic parameters (TAPSE/PASP, E/(Em × Sm), LVEF) and biomarkers (NT-proBNP, Gal-3, PTX-3) were measured. Group differences were tested by Kruskal-Wallis/ANOVA; correlations by Pearson coefficients.

TAPSE/PASP decreased progressively with HF severity (1.31 ± 0.62 vs. 0.88 ± 0.50 vs. 0.52 ± 0.19; p < 0.001), while E/(Em × Sm) increased (0.82 ± 0.34 vs. 1.17 ± 0.72 vs. 1.27 ± 0.65; p = 0.002). TAPSE/PASP correlated with LVEF (r = 0.31, p < 0.001) and inversely with NT-proBNP (r = –0.28, p = 0.001). E/(Em × Sm) correlated inversely with LVEF (r = –0.31, p < 0.001) and positively with NT-proBNP (r = 0.18, p = 0.035). PTX-3 increased with HF severity and correlated with NT-proBNP (r = 0.27, p = 0.012), while Gal-3 showed only non-significant trends.

Simple echocardiographic indices (TAPSE/PASP and E/(Em × Sm)) are strongly associated with HF severity and standard biomarkers, providing readily available tools for patient stratification. Novel biomarkers (Gal-3, PTX-3) show promise but did not consistently reach statistical significance, highlighting the greater clinical utility of echocardiography in routine practice.Table 1.Echocardiographic indices and bFor image description, please refer to the figure legend and surrounding text.Table 2.Pearson correlation between echFor image description, please refer to the figure legend and surrounding text.