Galectin-3

Test ID: 

702945

CPT code:

82777

Clinical Use:

For use in conjunction with clinical evaluation as an aid in assessing the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure. Galectin-3 levels >17.8 ng/mL are present in a proportion of patients with NYHA class II-IV. Such elevated levels are associated with a more progressive form of heart failure resulting in an increased hazard for death or hospitalization.

Test Information:

Galectin-3 is member of the protein family known as galectins. Galectins bind to certain carbohydrates via specific carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs). Galectin-3 is a 29 to 35 kDa chimera-type galectin − the only member of the galectin family with an extended N-terminal domain constituted of tandem repeats of short amino acid segments (a total of 110-130 amino acids) linked to a single C-terminal CRD of about 130 amino acids.

Specimen Type:

Serum or plasma

Requested Volume: 

0.8 mL

Minimum Volume: 

0.4 mL

Container Type: 

Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube, or lavender-top (EDTA) tube

Collection:

Transfer separated serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube.

Storage Instructions:

Room temperature. Stable at room temperature or refrigerated for 22 days, or frozen for 12 months. Freeze/Thaw Cycle: Stable x9

Rejection Criteria

Visible hemolysis; plasma other than EDTA; improperly labeled specimen