Soluble ST2 and galectin-3 blood levels may help distinguish between different types of heart failure classified by ejection fraction, offering potential diagnostic biomarker value.
164 participants across 4 groupsComparing biomarker levels across reduced, mildly reduced, preserved EF heart failure, and controls
What the researchers found
sST2 and galectin-3 levels showed differences across heart failure subtypes classified by ejection fraction, suggesting potential utility as diagnostic biomarkers for heart failure classification.
Why it matters
Heart failure treatment depends on ejection fraction classification, but current diagnosis relies heavily on echocardiography. Simple blood biomarkers could enable faster screening and monitoring.
How the study worked
Cross-sectional clinical study comparing sST2 and galectin-3 levels across 4 groups (HFrEF, HFmrEF, HFpEF, and healthy controls), n=41 per group.
What this study cannot tell us
Relatively small groups (n=41 each); cross-sectional design cannot establish causation or track biomarker changes over time; single-center study.
How to read the evidence
Cross-sectional clinical study with moderate sample size — provides initial evidence for biomarker utility but requires larger validation studies.
When this study was published
Published in 2026, contributing to the growing field of heart failure biomarker research.
The bigger picture
Adding protein biomarkers to heart failure diagnosis could complement imaging, enable remote monitoring, and help detect disease progression before symptoms worsen — particularly valuable in resource-limited settings.
Questions still open
- Could serial sST2 and galectin-3 measurements predict heart failure progression or treatment response?
- Are these biomarkers useful for screening in primary care before echocardiography?
Common questions
What are sST2 and galectin-3?
Why does heart failure classification by ejection fraction matter?
Read the original research
Evaluation of Soluble ST2 and Galectin-3 Levels in Patients with Heart Failure.
Turk Kardiyoloji Dernegi arsivi : Turk Kardiyoloji Derneginin yayin organidir
Citation
Çetin, Mustafa; Tanrıverdi, Zulkif; Demirbağ, Recep; Altıparmak, İbrahim Halil; Biçer Yeşilay, Asuman; Tascanov, Mustafa Begenc; Fedai, Halil; Toprak, Kenan; Koyuncu, İsmail. (2026). Evaluation of Soluble ST2 and Galectin-3 Levels in Patients with Heart Failure.. Turk Kardiyoloji Dernegi arsivi : Turk Kardiyoloji Derneginin yayin organidir. https://doi.org/10.5543/tkda.2025.44679