The Association between Galectin-3 and hs-CRP and the Clinical Outcome after Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction with Preexisting Atrial Fibrillation

Increased galectin-3 plasma concentration has been linked to an unfavorable outcome in patients with heart failure or atrial fibrillation (AF). There are no published data about the prognostic utility of galectin-3 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) for long-term clinical outcome in the Non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients with preexisting AF. Thirty-two patients with the first acute NSTEMI and preexisting AF and 22 patients without preexisting AF, were prospectively followed for fifteen months. Patients with AF had significantly higher galectin-3 plasma levels (p < 0.05) and hs-CRP concentration (p < 0.01), compared with patients without AF. Galectin-3 plasma concentration was not a significant covariate of the composite outcomes (p = 0.913). Patients with high hs-CRP (above 4.55 mg/L) showed 2.5 times increased risk (p < 0.05) of the composite outcome occurrence (p < 0.05). Besides, three-vessel coronary artery disease, creatinine serum level, and creatinine clearance were significant covariates (p < 0.05; p < 0.05; p < 0.01) of the composite outcome, respectively. Creatinine clearance, solely, has been shown to be an independent predictor of unfavorable prognosis after a 15-month follow-up. Galectin-3 and hs-CRP plasma levels were elevated in NSTEMI patients with AF, but with differential predictive value for an unfavorable clinical outcome. Only hs-CRP was associated with increased risk of composite outcome occurrence.