Galectin-3 is associated with coronary plaque burden and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome severity.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is reported to be associated with hypertension, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure. Galectin-3 plays an important role in the regulation of inflammation, development of cardiac fibrosis, and remodelling. A significant relationship between galectin-3 and the total number of coronary plaques and the macrocalcified plaque structures of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus has been reported. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between galectin-3 level and coronary plaque burden as well as OSAS severity in patients with OSAS. METHODS: A total of 87 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of OSAS and 21 age- and gender-matched control subjects were recruited for the present study. The patients with OSAS were also categorised according to their apnoea hypopnoea index (AHI) as follows: mild (AHI = 5-15), moderate (AHI = 15-30), and severe (AHI > 30). All study subjects underwent coronary computed tomography angiography to detect coronary atherosclerosis. Also, all participants of serum galectin-3 concentrations were measured. RESULTS: Mean galectin-3 level was significantly higher in patients with OSAS compared to control subjects (p < 0.001) and in the severe OSAS group, compared to the moderate and mild OSAS groups (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis indicated significant positive relationships between galectin-3 concentrations and the total number of coronary plaques (p < 0.001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p = 0.001), and severity of OSAS (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, galectin-3 (p = 0.01) and age (p = 0.025) were significant independent predictors of coronary atherosclerosis, after adjusting for other risk factors. Also, it has been found that galectin-3 concentration is a predictor of OSAS severity (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Galectin-3 is associated with coronary atherosclerosis and OSAS severity in OSAS patients.

The role of electrocardiography in evaluation of severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in daily clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of chronic morbidity and mortality. Bronchial obstruction and increased pulmonary vascular resistance impairs right atrial functions. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of bronchial obstruction on p wave axis in patients with COPD and usefulness of electrocardiography (ECG) in the evaluation of the severity of COPD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety five patients (64 male and 31 female) included to the study. Patients were in sinus rhythm, with normal ejection fraction and heart chamber sizes. Their respiratory function tests and 12 lead electrocardiograms were obtained at same day. Correlations with severity of COPD and ECG findings including p wave axis, p wave duration, QRS axis, QRS duration were studied. RESULTS: The mean age was 58 ± 12 years. Their mean p wave axis was 62 ± 18 degrees. In this study, p wave axis has demonstrated significant positive correlations with stages of COPD and QRS axis but significant negative correlations with FEV1, FEF, BMI and QRS duration. P wave axis increases with increasing stages of COPD. CONCLUSION: Verticalization of the frontal p wave axis may be an early finding of worsening of COPD before occurrences of other ECG changes of hypertrophy and enlargement of right heart chambers such as p pulmonale. Verticalization of the frontal p wave axis reflecting right atrial electrical activity and right heart strain may be a useful parameter for quick estimation of the severity of COPD in an out-patient cared.