Brito, D.Calisto, C.Pires, R.Pedro, M. M. MendesGonçalves, F.Moldovan, O.Silva, D.Guimarães, T.Francisco, A.R.Pinto, Fausto J.Madeira, H. C.2018-11-052018-11-052016European Heart Journal (2016) 37 (Abstract Supplement), 571-­5720195-668Xhttp://hdl.handle.net/10451/35270Copyright © 2016 Oxford University PressBackground and aim: Cardiac fibrosis, a hallmark of sarcomeric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (sHCM) with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), is a substrate for ventricular arrhythmias and heart failure. NT­proBNP plasma levels in sHCM patients (pts) are associated with LVH, cardiac dysfunction and adverse outcomes. Galectin­3 (Gal­3), a biomarker of fibrosis, may be also a marker of severity thus reflecting prognosis. We tested this hypothesis evaluating both biomarkers in sHCM pts and their association with clinical, morphological and functional echocardiographic (echo) data. Methods: Sixty sHCM pts (49.8±16.3y, 52% female) – major echo criteria and positive genotype, nondilated well contracting left ventricle (LV), stable clinical condition and no diseases that might influence Gal­3 levels – were enrolled. ECG, echo study, and complete laboratorial panel were performed. Associations between circulating Gal­3 and NT­proBNP levels, and between both biomarkers and imaging data (structural and functional evaluation by echo­Doppler/tissue Doppler imaging), current symptoms, hospitalization due to sHCM or presence of non­sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) on Holter, were looked for. Statistical analyses were conducted, first including and then excluding 6 pts under cardiovascular drugs that might influence Gal­3 levels. Associations were considered statistically significant if p<0.05. Results: No association was found between Gal­3 (14.95±9.29ng/ml) and NT­proBNP (1207.02±1779.9 pg/ml) levels or between Gal­3 and LVH degree, cardiac dimensions or functional echo parameters or indices, even after adjusting for age and body mass index (BMI). NT­proBNP levels were associated with maximal wall thickness (WT), r=0.58), LVWT score (r=0.40), left atrial dimension (r=0.39), septal E' (r=−0.54), lateral E' (r=−0.58), septal E/E' (r=0.49), lateral E/E' (r=0.59), and septal S' (r=−0.58), independently of age and BMI. Higher levels of NT­proBNP were found in the presence of symptoms (p<0.001) and hospitalizations due to sHCM (p=.001). None of the biomarkers was associated with NSVT occurrence. Results were similar after the exclusion of pts under potentially confounding therapies. Conclusions: In sHCM pts, NT­proBNP but not Gal­3 levels are associated with LVH degree, echo­indices of LV function, LV diastolic pressure, symptoms and hospitalization. These findings favor NT­proBNP but not Gal­3 as a helpful tool to identify and characterize sHCM pts at a higher risk for cardiac related morbidity.engjournal article10.1093/eurheartj/ehw432