Galectin‐3 as an independent prognostic factor after heart transplantation

Background Galectin‐3 (GAL3) is linked to the prognosis of patients with heart failure and after heart transplantation (HTx). We assessed the prognostic role of GAL3 in a long‐term follow‐up after HTx. Methods HTx patients (N = 121) were evaluated in a single‐center, noninterventional, prospective, observational study. The median follow‐up was 96 months (2942 days, interquartile range (IQR) 2408–3264 days), and 40 patients died. GAL3 was measured before HTx, +10 days after HTx, and during the first posttransplant year. Survival analysis (all‐cause mortality) was performed with adjustments for clinical and laboratory variables. Results The median pretransplant GAL3 level was 18.0 μg/L (IQR 14.0–25.9), and higher values were associated with older age, worse kidney function, left ventricular assist device use before HTx, a higher IMPACT score, and mortality. Increased pretransplant GAL3 predicted shorter survival time (HR 2.05, 95% CI 1.09–3.85, p