Method for identifying a subject at risk of developing heart failure by determining the level of galectin-3 or thrombospondin-2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for identifying a subject at risk of developing hypertensive end organ damage, such as and in particular heart failure, comprising: a) obtaining a biological sample of said subject; b) determining the level of at least one non-myocytal marker in said sample; c) comparing the level of said marker to a standard level; and d) determining whether the level of the marker is indicative of a risk for developing hypertensive end organ damage. The non-myocytical marker preferably is galectin-3 or thrombospondin-2.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method for identifying a subject at risk of developing heart failure, the method comprising measuring the level of thrombospondin-2 in a biological sample from a human subject and comparing the level of thrombospondin-2 to a standard level indicative of heart failure risk, wherein an elevated level of thrombospondin-2 in the sample indicates a risk of developing heart failure. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the sample is a serum or plasma sample derived from peripheral blood. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the biological sample is from a patient with cardiac hypertrophy. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising measuring the level of galectin-3 in the sample and comparing the level of galectin-3 to a standard level indicative of heart failure risk. 
     
     
         17 . A method of identifying a risk of developing congestive heart failure in a patient with cardiac hypertrophy, the method comprising measuring a level of thrombospondin-2 in a sample from the patient and comparing it to a standard level indicative of a risk of developing congestive heart failure, wherein an elevated level of thrombospondin-2 in the sample indicates a risk of developing congestive heart failure. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the sample is a serum or plasma sample derived from peripheral blood. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the standard level is a level indicative of the risk of developing congestive heart failure. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising measuring the level of galectin-3 in the sample and comparing the level of galectin-3 to a standard level indicative of congestive heart failure risk. 
     
     
         21 . A method of treating or preventing hypertensive end organ damage or complications of heart failure, comprising inhibiting galectin-3 in a subject.