Significance of Multiple Lymphocyte-to-C-Reactive Protein Ratios in Predicting Long-Term Major Cardiovascular Adverse Events in Emergency Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Aim

The high morbidity and mortality associated with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are an urgent concern. This study aimed to investigate the ratio of lymphocyte count to C-reactive protein ratio (LCR) in multiple measurements in the perioperative period, exploring dynamic changes as the best predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in STEMI patients.

Methods

We enrolled 205 STEMI patients, conducting blood counts at admission, 24 hours post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and at discharge. Cox proportional risk models evaluated factors independently associated with STEMI prognosis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the De-Long test determined the best predictor. Kaplan-Meier analysis assessed the prognostic value of LCR for STEMI patients. Statistical differences and correlations between LCR at 24 hours post-PCI and cardiovascular disease risk factors were also analyzed.

Results

Gensini score (HR, 1.015; 95% CI, 1.007-1.022; P < 0.001), total stent length (HR, 1.015; 95% CI, 1.002-1.029; P=0.025), lipoprotein (a) (HR, 1.001; 95% CI, 1.000-1.002; P=0.043), LCR at admission (HR, 0.995; 95% CI, 0.989-1.000; P=0.002), and LCR at 24 hours post-PCI (HR, 0.587; 95% CI, 0.486-0.708; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for long-term STEMI prognosis after PCI. LCR at admission (cut-off value, 2.252; 95% CI, 0.040-0.768; P < 0.001) and LCR at 24 hours post-PCI (cut-off value, 2.252; 95% CI, 0.831-0.924; P < 0.001) effectively predicted MACEs occurrence, with the latter exhibiting a superior predictive effect (P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with LCR at admission ≤ 50.29 and LCR at 24 hours post-PCI ≤ 2.25 had significantly higher risks of developing MACEs (Log-rank P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

LCR at 24 hours post-PCI may be a superior marker for long-term MACE prediction in STEMI patients, serving as the best predictor for distant MACE occurrence.

Src homology 2-B adapter protein 3 C784 T and Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677 T Polymorphisms and Inflammation Markers in ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients

Neutrophil-lymphocyte (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte (PLR), eosinophil-lymphocyte (ELR), and monocyte-lymphocyte (MLR) ratios are systemic inflammatory markers related to myocardial infarction. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of Src homology 2-B adapter protein 3 (SH2B3) C784 T and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677 T polymorphisms (SNP) with systemic inflammatory markers and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in 150 ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped using the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR) method. The inflammatory markers were calculated. An interventional cardiologist blinded to other data assessed the SYNTAX (SX) Score. Eosinophil and platelet counts were significantly higher in SH2B3 variants than in the wild type. Additionally, SH2B3 variants had significantly higher ELR than the wild type (.12 ± .19 vs .25 ± .34, p = .018). NLR, PLR, ELR, and MLR were considerably higher in MTHFR variants than in the wild type (p < .05). The SX score was significantly higher in both SH2B3 C784 T (21.24 ± 8.90 vs 15.29 ± 9.40, p = .00) and MTHFR C677 T (20.34 ± 10.21 vs 16.08 ± 8.39, p = .00) variants when compared with wild type. In conclusion, these polymorphisms are associated with several markers of systemic inflammation as well as the severity of CAD.

Association of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio levels with the risk of cardiac adverse events in people with type 2 diabetes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A large-scale prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), a promising inflammatory biomarker, contributes to the development of atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the importance of PLR in predicting adverse events in people undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with T2D.

METHODS

We consecutively enrolled 8831 people who underwent PCI and divided them into four groups according to PLR and glycemic metabolic status (PLR-Low/High without T2D, PLR-Low/High with T2D). The endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and stent thrombosis. A multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine this association.

RESULTS

During the 2.4-year follow-up, 663 (7.5%) MACCE and 75 (0.85%) stent thromboses were recorded. The risk of MACCE (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-1.53, P = 0.002) and stent thrombosis (HR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.38-3.90, P = 0.002) was significantly higher in people with high PLR levels than in those with low PLR. Among people with T2D, the PLR-High group showed a significantly higher risk of MACCE (HR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.21-2.09, P = 0.001) and stent thrombosis (HR: 3.15, 95% CI: 1.32-7.52, P = 0.010). However, these associations were not significant in people without T2D.

CONCLUSIONS

PLR has been originally documented as a significant predictor of poor prognosis and a high incidence of stent thrombosis in people undergoing PCI, especially in those with T2D.

Associations between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte/platelet-to-lymphocyte and recovery in sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Aims: This study investigated the nonlinear associations between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR)/platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) and recovery rates in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Methods: Total of 244 SSNHL patients were included. The primary outcome was recovery rate. Results: A nonlinear association was detected between NLR and recovery rate using the LOWESS method, with a knot of 3. Patients with NLR ≥3 had a higher recovery rate than NLR <3. Using the linear-spline function, NLR was significantly associated with high recovery rate when NLR was <3. However, when NLR was ≥3, this association became nonsignificant. The trend test showed a similar result. PLR was not associated with recovery rate. Conclusion: The association between NLR and recovery rate is nonlinear, with a knot of around three. PLR is not associated with recovery rate.

Combined use of frontal plane QRS-T angle and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in the risk prediction of ischemic cardiomyopathy in STEMI

BACKGROUND

Frontal plane QRS-T angle (fQRS-T) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are highly important parameters that well-predict unfavorable outcomes in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI).There are limited data on the predictive significance of ischemic cardiomyopathy (I-CMP) from the combination of fQRS-T and PLR in STEMI, compared to using fQRS-T and PLR alone.

AIM

We aimed to evaluate the ability of the combination of fQRS-T and PLR routinely obtained on admission to identify STEMI patients at risk of I-CMP.

METHOD

Six hundred and thirty-eight consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention between 2018 and 2021 were included. The assessment of I-CMP was conducted through two-dimentional (2D)-echocardiography 6 weeks post-STEMI and I-CMP was defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 50% or less. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis were performed to predict the development of I-CMP.

RESULTS

In ROC analysis, the cut-off values of fQRS-T and PLR for best predicting I-CMP were 66.72° and 101.23, respectively. The model using the combination of two markers was the most powerful predictor of I-CMP risk (OR: 3.183, 95% CI: 1.971-5.139, p = .001) when included in a single variable such as high fQRS-T or high PLR (OR: 1.422, 95% CI: 0.870-0.232, p = .160). Additionally, the concomitant presence of high fQRS-T and high PLR exhibited the highest specificity (77%) for I-CMP relative to the individual presence of high fQRS-T (66%) or PLR (49%).

CONCLUSION

The combination of fQRS-T and PLR, which is a simple and cost-effective risk assessment, may serve as a more reliable prognosticator for I-CMP as opposed to the use of fQRS-T and PLR alone for STEMI.

Leukocyte and Platelet Related Inflammatory Indicators and Risk of Carotid and Femoral Plaques: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Southeast China

The associations between several blood inflammatory indicators and risk of vascular plaques remain inconclusive. A total of 4596 native rural residents in Southeast China were enrolled from the Fuqing cohort study. Blood cell counts and their composite indexes including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and 2 novel indicators (systemic immune inflammation index (SII) and systemic immune inflammation response index (SIRI)) were considered as inflammatory indicators. Common carotid and femoral intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaques were assessed using B-mode ultrasound. Unconditional or multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate potential associations. The prevalence of multiple femoral plaques (defined as IMT ≥1.5 mm) was significantly higher among participants with the highest tertile of total leukocyte count (odds ratio, 1.78), neutrophil count (1.88), monocyte count (2.51), platelet count (1.68), NLR (1.93), PLR (1.57), SII (2.10), and SIRI (2.94). Higher levels of neutrophil count, platelet count, NLR, and SII were also found to have significant linear dose-response relationships with the prevalence of stenosis, especially in femoral arteries. In conclusion, several blood inflammatory biomarkers may contribute to, or are associated with, the presence of IMT ≥1.5 mm or stenosis especially in femoral arteries.

The Brain-Heart Axis: Neuroinflammatory Interactions in Cardiovascular Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The role of neuroimmune modulation and inflammation in cardiovascular disease has been historically underappreciated. Physiological connections between the heart and brain, termed the heart-brain axis (HBA), are bidirectional, occur through a complex network of autonomic nerves/hormones and cytokines, and play important roles in common disorders.

RECENT FINDINGS

At the molecular level, advances in the past two decades reveal complex crosstalk mediated by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, the renin-angiotensin aldosterone and hypothalamus-pituitary axes, microRNA, and cytokines. Afferent pathways amplify proinflammatory signals via the hypothalamus and brainstem to the periphery, promoting neurogenic inflammation. At the organ level, while stress-mediated cardiomyopathy is the prototypical disorder of the HBA, cardiac dysfunction can result from a myriad of neurologic insults including stroke and spinal injury. Atrial fibrillation is not necessarily a causative factor for cardioembolic stroke, but a manifestation of an abnormal atrial substrate, which can lead to the development of stroke independent of AF. Central and peripheral neurogenic proinflammatory factors have major roles in the HBA, manifesting as complex bi-directional relationships in common conditions such as stroke, arrhythmia, and cardiomyopathy.

Association of Systemic Inflammatory Response Index and Pan-Immune-Inflammation-Value with Long-Term Adverse Cardiovascular Events in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Aim

Reducing the high morbidity and mortality of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and improving patient prognosis remains a major global challenge. This study aimed to explore whether dynamic fluctuations in biomarkers are valuable predictors of prognosis in patients with STEMI.

Methods

This study included 216 patients with STEMI. Blood routine tests were performed on admission, 12 h after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and at discharge. Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), and pan-immune-inflammation-value (PIV) serum immune-inflammatory markers were calculated. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the factors independently associated with the prognosis of STEMI. The optimal cutoff values for the inflammatory markers were calculated.

Results

Eighty-five (39.35%) of the 216 patients had major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) during the 1-year follow-up. Most were male (81.18%) with a median age of 64 years (interquartile, 55-69.5). Killip class ≥ II on admission (hazard ratio [HR], 1.859; 95% CI, 1.169-2.957; P = 0.009), total stent length (HR, 1.016; 95% CI, 1.003-1.029; P = 0.019), values of SIRI at 12 h after PCI (HR, 1.079; 95% CI, 1.050-1.108; P < 0.001), and the Gensini score (HR, 1.014; 95% CI, 1.007-1.022; P < 0.001) were independently associated with an increased risk of MACEs. Compared with SII, SIRI and PIV calculated at various time points and dynamically fluctuating changes, SIRI (cutoff value, 4.15; 95% CI, 0.701-0.819; P < 0.001) and PIV (cutoff value, 622.71; 95% CI, 0.674-0.796; P < 0.001) at 12 h after PCI showed the best efficacy for the prognosis of STEMI.

Conclusion

Our study provides relevant evidence to the notion that SIRI or PIV at 12 h after PCI may be more accurate and economical predictors of long-term adverse prognosis in patients with STEMI.

Correlation Between GDF11 Serum Levels, Severity of Coronary Artery Lesions, and the Prognosis of Patients with ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

We aimed to explore the correlation among serum GDF11, the severity of coronary artery lesions, and the prognosis of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A total of 367 patients were enrolled and divided into control (n = 172) and STEMI (n = 195) groups. Serum GDF11 (P < 0.001) was an independent predictor of STEMI and was negatively correlated with SYNTAX score (P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that serum GDF11 could screen patients for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). KM curve analysis showed that patients with lower concentration of GDF11 had a higher incidence of MACEs, and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that the serum GDF11 (P < 0.001) was an independent predictor of MACEs. Serum GDF11 was negatively correlated with the severity of coronary lesions and was also an independent prognostic indicator of MACEs in patients with STEMI.

Relationship Between Pre- and Post-Operative C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) With Post-Operative Pain After Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: An Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Anesthetic technique and postoperative pain management are crucial for total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) are new, simple, and cost-effective predictors for prognosis. The predictive value of NLR as an inflammatory marker can predict post-operative pain caused by inflammatory pathways secondary to surgical trauma. CRP is also the most sensitive and specific biomarker of inflammation whereas PLR was also recently considered a possible marker for inflammation which may further contribute to pain and sequelae. Thus, anesthetists can make decisions about the amount, time, and type of analgesic to use based on preoperative values of these parameters to provide maximum postoperative pain control and facilitate early rehabilitation. Thus, the current study was conducted to determine the relationship between CRP, NLR, and PLR levels and the intensity of pain in patients following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 105 patients scheduled for THA and TKA fulfilling the study's inclusion criteria were enrolled. Inclusion criteria of the study were all the patients giving written consent, ASA Grade I-III, patients between 18 and 90 years who were scheduled for elective lower extremity TJA, and all the patients who remained admitted until stitches were removed. Patients were given intrathecal 15 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine via 25G atraumatic spinal needle in the L3-L4 interspace. The recorded data were demographic characteristics, preexisting comorbidities, number of blood transfusions, and operation time, postoperative analgesics given, duration of hospital stay, time of mobility, pain scoring as per visual analog scale (VAS) scoring system with an aim to establish a relationship between pre- and post-operative (Days 3 & 5) CRP, NLR, and PLR with post-operative pain after THA and TKA.

RESULT

The present study demonstrated a significant correlation (p < 0.002) between preoperative and postoperative NLR with pain after TJA whereas PLR and CRP did not show any significant relationship with post-operative pain after THA and TKA. A significantly higher NLR ratio was observed for patients on all the periods of observation (pre-op., Day 3, and Day 5). Pre-op. and Day 5 NLR of patients who required transfusion were significantly higher than those who did not require transfusion and patients with higher NLR values could be mobilized significantly later and had significantly higher duration of hospital stay. The correlation of CRP levels and PLR levels at different time intervals did not show a significant correlation with Day 3 and Day 5 pain scores.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated a significant correlation between preoperative and postoperative NLR with pain after TJA.

Predictive value of combining leucocyte and platelet counts for mortality in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients after percutaneous coronary intervention treatment in Chinese population: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Risk stratification is challenging in patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We investigated the prognostic value of a novel score system combining leucocyte and platelet counts (COL-P) scores for in-hospital and long-term adverse outcomes.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with STEMI.

SETTING

First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 854 STEMI patients with primary PCI were included in this study from November 2009 and December 2015.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs).

METHODOLOGY

The patients were divided into three groups according to the COL-P scores (0, 1 and 2). Cox regression analysis was used to investigate the relation between adverse outcomes and the COL-P score in patients with STEMI.

RESULTS

A total of 44 patients died in hospital, and 99 within 3-year follow-up after discharge. The in-hospital and 3-year mortality and MACEs were higher in patients with higher COL-P score. Multivariable Cox regression indicated COL-P score was independently associated with long-term mortality (COL-P 1 vs COL-P 0: HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.016 to 5.567, p=0.005; COL-P 2 vs COL-P 0: HR 5.02, 95% CI 1.990 to 9.041, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The COL-P score was a useful risk system for stratifying high-risk patients with STEMI after primary PCI.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio are Important Indicators for Predicting in-Hospital Death in Elderly AMI Patients

Aim

To investigate the role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte(PLR) in predicting the risk of in-hospital mortality in elderly acute myocardial infarction(AMI) patients.

Methods

This study was a single-center, retrospective and observational study. From December 2015 to December 2021, a total of 1550 elderly patients (age ≥ 60 years) with AMI with complete clinical history data were enrolled in the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University. Routine blood tests were performed on admission, and NLR and PLR were calculated based on neutrophil, platelet, and lymphocyte counts. Outcome was defined as all-cause mortality during hospitalization. Cox regression and restricted spline cubic(RCS) models were used to evaluate the association of NLR and in-hospital mortality risk and the association of PLR with in-hospital mortality risk, respectively.

Results

(1) A total of 132 (8.5%) patients died during hospitalization. From the results of blood routine, the white blood cell, neutrophil, NLR and PLR in the death group were higher than those in the non-death group, while the lymphocyte was lower than that in the non-death group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). (2) The results of receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves analysis showed that the predictive ability of NLR (AUC = 0.790) for in-hospital death was better than that of PLR (AUC = 0.637). (3) Multivariate Cox proportional regression hazard models showed that high NLR was associated with the risk of in-hospital mortality in elderly AMI patients (HR = 3.091, 95% CI 2.097-4.557, P < 0.001), while high PLR was not. (4) RCS models showed a nonlinear dose-response relationship between NLR and in-hospital death (P for nonlinear = 0.0007).

Conclusion

High NLR (> 6.69) is associated with the risk of in-hospital mortality in elderly patients with AMI and can be an independent predictor of poor short-term prognosis in elderly patients with AMI.

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio a potential prognosticator in acute myocardial infarction: A prospective longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

The ratio of platelets to lymphocytes (PLR) can serve as a potential biomarker for predicting the prognosis of individuals with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

AIM

The purpose of the research was to evaluate the in-hospital outcomes of AMI patients and the predictive significance of PLR on major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

METHODS

A total of 799 AMI patients who had successful primary PCI within 12 h of the onset of chest pain were separated into low PLR (n = 511) and high PLR (n = 288) groups using a PLR cutoff value of 178. At admission, total white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts were assessed.

RESULTS

In patients with a high PLR group with PLR > 178, the incidence of MACE: heart rupture, acute heart failure, total adverse events, and mortality due to all events was considerably greater. In an analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve, a high PLR > 178 accurately predicted adverse outcomes (73% specificity and 65% sensitivity). Age, hypertension, and PLR were found as independent predictors of adverse outcomes by multiple logistic regression.

CONCLUSIONS

AMI patients with high PLR had poor hospital outcomes. These findings recommend PLR as an independent risk factor for hospital-acquired complications, suggesting that inflammation and prothrombotic state may contribute to the poor prognosis of high PLR patients.

Inflammatory response biomarkers nomogram for predicting pneumonia in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

Objectives

Inflammatory response biomarkers are promising prognostic factors to improve the prognosis of stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) after ischemic stroke. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of inflammatory response biomarkers on admission in SAP after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) and establish a corresponding nomogram.

Methods

The data of 378 patients with SICH receiving conservative treatment from January 2019 to December 2021 at Taizhou People's Hospital were selected. All eligible patients were randomized into the training (70%, 265) and validation cohorts (30%, 113). In the training cohort, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to establish an optimal nomogram, including inflammatory response biomarkers and clinical risk factors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the nomogram's discrimination, calibration, and performance, respectively. Moreover, this model was further validated in a validation cohort.

Results

A logistic regression analysis showed that intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), hypertension, dysphagia, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were correlated with SAP after SICH (P < 0.05). The nomogram was composed of all these statistically significant factors. The inflammatory marker-based nomogram showed strong prognostic power compared with the conventional factors, with an AUC of 0.886 (95% CI: 0.841-0.921) and 0.848 (95% CI: 0.799-0.899). The calibration curves demonstrated good homogeneity between the predicted risks and the observed outcomes. In addition, the model has a significant net benefit for SAP, according to DCA. Also, internal validation demonstrated the reliability of the prediction nomogram. The length of hospital stay was shorter in the non-SAP group than in the SAP group. At the 3-month follow-up, clinical outcomes were worse in the SAP group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

SIRI and PLR at admission can be utilized as prognostic inflammatory biomarkers in patients with SICH in the upper brain treated with SAP. A nomogram covering SIRI and PLR can more accurately predict SAP in patients' supratentorial SICH. SAP can influence the length of hospital stay and the clinical outcome.

Preoperative lymphocyte to C-reactive protein ratio: A new prognostic indicator of post-primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein ratio (LCR) is a novel inflammatory biomarker for many diseases. This study aimed to examine the association between LCR and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who were undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

METHODS

A total of 382 patients with STEMI were included in this study; these patients were enrolled from January 2014 to January 2016 at a single center, and the LCR was calculated for each patient. During the in-hospital and long-term follow-up period, MACEs included cardiovascular death, new-onset non-fatal myocardial infarction, heart failure, malignant arrhythmias, revascularization in unstable angina, and new-onset atrial fibrillation. Using receiver operating characteristic curves, we assessed the predictive impact for MACEs using a combination of six inflammatory markers in patients with STEMI and focused on LCR to elucidate its prognostic value. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to define the factors associated with MACEs.

RESULTS

Among the assessed variables, preoperative LCR showed the highest accuracy in predicting hospitalized (AUC:0.71) and long-term follow-up(AUC:0.602) MACEs in patients with STEMI. Decreased preoperative LCR was significantly associated with the Gensini score (P < 0.05) and no-reflow (P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that a high preoperative LCR (cutoff threshold = 112.4) was an independent protective factor for hospitalized MACEs in patients with STEMI (hazard ratio, 0.409; 95 % confidence interval, 0.283-0.590; P < 0.001). A high preoperative LCR (cutoff threshold = 106.3) was an independent protective factor for long-term follow-up MACEs in patients with STEMI (hazard ratio, 0.552; 95 % confidence interval, 0.369-0.740; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative LCR is a novel and valuable prognostic marker to determine the occurrence of MACEs in hospitals and long-term follow-up after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with STEMI.

Predictive Value of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Marker in Antiresorptive Agent-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: A Retrospective Analysis

Antiresorptive agent-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ARONJ), a multifactorial disease, can drastically affect a patient’s quality of life. Moreover, disease progression to severe acute inflammation can hinder treatment. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of the neutrophil−lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet−lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in predicting the risk of acute inflammation in patients with ARONJ. In total, 147 patients with ARONJ were enrolled between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2019. They were divided into two groups according to their baseline NLR (high NLR vs. low NLR) or PLR (high PLR vs. low PLR) to analyze the relationship between NLR and PLR and the outcomes of acute inflammatory events. An optimal NLR cut-off value of 2.83 was identified for hospitalization for an inflammatory event. Logistic regression analysis showed that NLR > 2.83 was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for an inflammatory event. A PLR cut-off value of 165.2 was identified for hospitalization for an inflammatory event. However, logistic regression analysis showed that PLR > 165.2 was not significantly associated with hospitalization for an inflammatory event. Our study findings suggest that the NLR has diagnostic value in predicting the risk of hospitalization for inflammatory events among patients with ARONJ.

Platelet-to-Hemoglobin Ratio Is an Important Predictor of In-Hospital Mortality in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background: Despite effective interventional treatments, the mortality of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is still high. Several mortality predictors are known in STEMI. Platelet-to-hemoglobin ratio (PHR) is a recently used mortality parameter in cardiac or non-cardiac diseases. We aim to investigate the relationship of PHR with in-hospital mortality in patients with STEMI.

Methods: Eight hundred eighty-four patients were included in the study. All of them underwent coronary intervention due to STEMI. Demographic characteristics, laboratory, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters were analyzed from hospital records. A cut-off value for PHR was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Then, patients were divided into two groups PHR < 1.99 and PHR ≥ 1.99. The data of both groups were compared.

Results: The median age of the study population was 64 (54-75). Of these 633 (71.6 %) were male and 251 (28.4 %) were female. All cause mortality of the study population was 9.7% (n=86). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, PHR was independently associated with a significantly increased risk of in-hospital mortality for STEMI (OR: 2.645, CI: 1.641-4.263, p< 0.001). Also, age (OR: 1.044, CI: 1.021-1.067, p< 0.001), mean arterial pressure (MAP) less than 87 mmHg (OR: 2.078, CI: 1.185-3.645, p= 0.011), prior coronary artery disease (CAD) (OR: 2.839, CI: 1.345-5.993, p= 0.006), anterior myocardial infarction (MI) (OR: 1.912, CI: 1.069-3.421, p= 0.029), creatinine (OR: 3.710, CI: 2.255-6.106, p<0.001), alanine transaminase (ALT) (OR: 1.004, CI: 1.001-1.007, p=0.002), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (OR: 1.122, CI: 1.014-1.242, p= 0.025) were determined as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion: In conclusion, we found that PHR is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with STEMI.

Correlation between red blood cell distribution width, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, and neutrophil to platelet ratio with 3-month prognosis of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter that indsicates the heterogeneity of red blood cell size and could be a prognostic factor in some diseases. Also, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is considered a vascular event with a high mortality rate. We aimed to examine the role of RDW, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and neutrophil to platelet ratio (NPR) in predicting the prognosis of patients with ICH.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study conducted on 140 patients with ICH admitted to the neurology ward and intensive care unit (ICU) in Imam Reza Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Demographic data, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and complete blood count test parameters were evaluated within 24 h after hospitalization. These variables were collected and re-evaluated three months later.

RESULTS

The mean age of the study population was 61.14 (± 16) years and 51% were male. The mean NLR (p = 0.05), neutrophil count (p=0.04), platelet count (p = 0.05), and NIHSS (p<0.01)  had a significant difference between the deceased patients and those who partially recovered after three months. The ROC curve showed that NIHSS (area under curve (AUC): 0.902), followed by NPR (AUC: 0.682) variables had the highest AUC.

CONCLUSION

RDW could be a relevant prognostic factor and predictor in determining 3-months survival in ICH. Nevertheless, further large-scale prospective cohorts might be needed to evaluate the associations.

Índice de Inflamação Imune Sistêmica é Preditor de Eventos Cardiovasculares Adversos Maiores em Pacientes com Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio com Supradesnivelamento do Segmento ST

Fundamento

O índice de inflamação imune sistêmica (SII, systemic immune-inflammation index) tem sido descrito como um novo marcador prognóstico em tumores e doenças cardiovasculares.

Objetivos

Investigar a associação entre eventos cardiovasculares adversos em pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAMCSST).

Métodos

Foi realizado um estudo observacional retrospectivo em 843 pacientes com IAMCSST. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos segundo valores medianos de SII. A análise de regressão de Cox foi usada para detectar preditores independentes de eventos adversos cardiovasculares. A melhora na capacidade discriminatória pela adição do SII aos fatores de risco tradicionais – idade, hipertensão, diabetes mellitus, e sexo masculino para eventos adversos maiores foi calculada por estatística c, melhora da discriminação integrada (IDI), e melhora na reclassificação. Um valor de p bilateral <0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo.

Resultados

O grupo com SII elevado apresentou idade mais avançada que o grupo com SII baixo (61,2±11,2 e 59,2±7,9, respectivamente, p=0,002). O grupo com SII elevado apresentou taxas mais altas de morte cardiovascular, infarto do miocárdio não fatal, acidente vascular cerebral não fatal, hospitalização por insuficiência cardíaca, revascularização, e eventos cardiovasculares adversos maiores que no grupo com SII baixo. O SII foi um preditor independente de todos os eventos mencionados. A adição do SII aos fatores de risco tradicionais melhorou sua capacidade discriminatória para eventos cardiovasculares. O SII foi superior à razão neutrófilo-linfócito e à razão plaqueta-linfócito para predizer eventos adversos cardiovasculares.

Conclusão

O SII foi um preditor independente de eventos adversos maiores em pacientes com IAMCSST e pode ser usado para melhorar a predição de eventos adversos risco, especialmente se combinado com fatores de risco tradicionais.

Association of Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio with Stroke-Associated Pneumonia in Acute Ischemic Stroke

A common consequence of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP), might result in a poor prognosis after stroke. Based on the critical position of inflammation in SAP, this study aimed to explore the correlation between platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the occurrence of SAP. We included 295 patients with acute ischemic stroke, 40 with SAP, and 255 without SAP. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the diagnostic value of SAP risk factors using binary logistic regression analysis. The comparison between the two groups showed that age, the baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and the proportion of dysphagia, atrial fibrillation, and total anterior circulation infarct were higher, and the proportion of lacunar circulation infarct was lower in the SAP group (P < 0.001). In terms of laboratory data, the SAP group had considerably greater neutrophil counts and PLR, while the non-SAP group (P < 0.001) had significantly lower lymphocyte counts and triglycerides. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that older age (aOR = 1.062, 95% CI: 1.023–1.102, P = 0.002), atrial fibrillation (aOR = 3.585, 95% CI: 1.605–8.007, P = 0.019), and PLR (aOR = 1.003, 95% CI: 1.001–1.006, P = 0.020) were independent risk factors associated with SAP after adjusting for potential confounders. The sensitivity and specificity of PLR with a cutoff value of 152.22 (AUC: 0.663, 95% CI: 0.606–0.717, P = 0.0006) were 57.5% and 70.6%, respectively. This study showed that high PLR is an associated factor for SAP in AIS patients. Increased systemic inflammation is linked to SAP in ischemic stroke. Inflammatory biomarkers that are easily accessible may aid in the diagnosis of high-risk SAP patients.

Systemic immune-inflammation index predicts in-hospital and long-term outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the predictive value of the novel systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODS

A total of 1660 patients with STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) were enrolled in the study. In-hospital and 3-year outcomes were compared between the four groups (Q1-4). The SII was calculated using the following formula: neutrophil*platelet/lymphocyte.

RESULTS

The frequency of in-hospital cardiogenic shock, acute respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, ventricular arrhythmia, stent thrombosis, recurrent myocardial infarction, major adverse cardiac events and mortality were significantly higher in the high SII groups (Q3 and Q4). Logistic regression models demonstrated that Q3 and Q4 had an independent risk of mortality and Q4 had an independent risk of cardiogenic shock compared to Q1. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the best cutoff value of SII to predict the in-hospital mortality was 1781 with 66% sensitivity and 74% specificity. Kaplan-Meier overall survivals for Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 were 97.6, 96.9, 91.6 and 81.0%, respectively. Cox proportional analysis for 3-year mortality demonstrated that Q3 and Q4 had an independent risk for mortality compared to Q1.

CONCLUSION

SII, a novel inflammatory index, was found to be a better predictor for in-hospital and long-term outcomes than traditional risk factors in patients with STEMI undergoing pPCI.

Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts the Presence of Diabetic Neurogenic Bladder

PURPOSE

Diabetic neurogenic bladder (DNB) has been widely recognized in recent years. It is common in patients with long-term diabetes and may also lead to many severe complications. Although there has been widespread evidence that inflammation is involved in the development of some diabetic complications, there is little evidence that this can also occur in the bladder. In recent years, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) have been viewed as potential novel markers of inflammatory responses. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between the presence of DNB and the PLR and NLR.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 371 cases of T2DM patients were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into two groups, with 115 diabetic subjects diagnosed with diabetic neurogenic bladder and 256 control subjects without DNB. The independent predictors of DNB were analyzed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Compared with patients without DNB, the mean PLR and NLR were significantly higher in those with DNB (p < 0.001). Based on the logistic regression, PLR was found to be an independent risk factor for DNB (odds ratio [OR]: 1.408, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.248-1.617). From the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, using PLR as indicative of DNB was expected to be 101.1949, and it generated a sensitivity and specificity value of 89.6% and 23.4%, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) was also found to be 0.899 (95% CI: 0.865-0.932).

CONCLUSION

In our study, PLR and NLR were significantly higher for patients with DNB. The PLR was found to be a risk factor in the presence of DNB after correcting for possible confounding factors. Considering the severe complications associated with DNB, patients with elevated PLR should be seriously cared for in clinics.

Platelet-to-hemoglobin ratio as a valuable predictor of long-term all-cause mortality in coronary artery disease patients with congestive heart failure

BACKGROUND

The platelet-to-hemoglobin ratio (PHR) has emerged as a prognostic biomarker in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients after PCI but not clear in CAD complicated with congestive heart failure (CHF). Hence, we aimed to assess the association between PHR and long-term all-cause mortality among CAD patients with CHF.

METHODS

Based on the registry at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital in China, we analyzed data of 2599 hospitalized patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and were diagnosed with CAD complicated by CHF from January 2007 to December 2018. Low PHR was defined as ˂ 1.69 (group 1) and high PHR as ≥ 1.69 (group 2). Prognosis analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier method. To assess the association between PHR and long-term all-cause mortality, a Cox-regression model was fitted.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 5.2 (3.1-7.8) years, a total of 985 (37.9%) patients died. On the Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients in high PHR group had a worse prognosis than those in low PHR group (log-rank, p = 0.0011). After adjustment for confounders, high PHR was correlated with an increased risk of long-term all-cause mortality in CAD patients complicated with CHF. (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-1.52, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Elevated PHR is correlated with an increased risk of long-term all-cause mortality in CAD patients with CHF. These results indicate that PHR may be a useful prognostic biomarker for this population. Meanwhile, it is necessary to take effective preventive measures to regulate both hemoglobin levels and platelet counts in this population.

Increased Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio is an Independent Predictor of Hemorrhagic Transformation and In-Hospital Mortality Among Acute Ischemic Stroke with Large-Artery Atherosclerosis Patients

Background

The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is an inflammation marker of acute ischemic stroke, but its significance in patients with hemorrhage transformation (HT) after acute ischemic stroke with large-artery atherosclerosis (AIS-LAA) is unclear, and we also identified the relationship between PLR and in-hospital mortality of HT after AIS-LAA.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of patients with AIS-LAA. The PLR was calculated according to platelet and lymphocyte counts on admission. HT was defined on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography when neurologic deterioration worsened during hospitalization. The univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed to assess the association of PLR, HT and in-hospital mortality of HT after AIS-LAA.

Results

We included 328 Chinese AIS-LAA patients (mean age 67.2±11.1 years; 70.4% male). HT occurred in 38 patients (11.6%). After multivariate regression analyses, NRL (odds ratio [OR] 1.354, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.176–1.559, P<0.001) and PLR (odds ratio [OR] 3.869, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.233–5.702, P<0.001) were independently associated with HT after AIS-LAA. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) value of PLR (0.72, 95% CI (0.64–0.80), P<0.001) tested a greater discriminatory ability compared with neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (0.67, 95% CI (0.58–0.76), P<0.001). Meanwhile, PLR was found to be significantly related to HT after AIS-LAA, including in subtypes of artery-to-artery embolization (aOR 1.699, 95% CI 1.298–3.215, P<0.001), in-situ thrombosis (aOR4.499, 95% CI 1.344–9.054, P<0.001) and branch atheromatous disease (aOR3.239, 95% CI 1.098–8.354, P<0.001). Increased PLR predicts high in-hospital mortality of HT after AIS-LAA (OR 1.041, 95% CI (1.006–1.077), P=0.020; aOR 1.053, 95% CI (1.004–1.104), P=0.034).

Conclusion

High PLR is associated with greater risk of HT in AIS-LAA patients, including in artery-to-artery embolization, in-situ thrombosis and branch atheromatous disease. Meanwhile, increased PLR predicts high in-hospital mortality of HT after AIS-LAA.

The role of leukocytes in predicting whether laparotomy is required in patients with penetrating abdominal stab wound

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the importance of leukocytes, leukocyte subgroups, platelets, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in deciding whether laparotomy is required during observation in patients with penetrating abdominal stab wounds who were followed up because there was no indication for an emergency laparotomy.

METHODS

Patients who did not indicate an emergency laparotomy were monitored. After 48 hours from initial hospitalization, patients who did not require laparotomy were discharged nonoperatively. The total leukocytes, leukocyte subsets, platelets, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio of patients who underwent laparotomy during the follow-up compared with those who were discharged nonoperatively. The sensitivity and specificity of these laboratory values in predicting the necessity of laparotomy were calculated.

RESULTS

In the operated group (n = 71), leukocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio examined during observation were significantly higher (P < .001). Eosinophils and lymphocytes were significantly lower (P < .001) than in nonoperated (n = 476). Based on the deviation in the reference ranges of leukocyte and its subgroups, we report the sensitivity and specificity for predicting the necessity of laparotomy as 86% and 72% for leukocyte, 88% and 75% for neutrophil, 92% and 83% for neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and 72% and 77% for platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, respectively. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the cut-off value was found to be 4 for neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and 125 for platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (area under the curve/receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.929 and 0.808, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Leukocyte, leukocyte subgroups, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio may be useful to determine if a laparotomy is necessary in patients in whom the necessity of laparotomy is undetermined owing to unclear examination findings.

The Predictive Role of a Novel Risk Index in Patients Undergoing Carotid Artery Stenting: Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory mechanisms play an important role in both atherosclerosis and stroke. There are several inflammatory peripheral blood count markers associated with carotid artery stenosis degree, symptomatic carotid artery lesions and carotid artery stent restenosis that reported in previous studies. However, the prognostic role of the blood cell counts and their ratios in predicting in-hospital and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting (CAS) has not been comprehensively investigated. Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) proved its' efficiency in patients with solid tumors and its' role was rarely examined in cardiovascular disorders and stroke. The current study evaluated the effect of this novel risk index on in-hospital and long-term outcomes in a large patient population who underwent CAS.

METHOD

A total of 732 patients with carotid artery stenosis who underwent CAS were enrolled to the study. SII was calculated using the following formula: neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio × total platelet count in the peripheral blood (per mm3) and the patients were stratified accordingly: T1, T2 and T3. In-hospital and 5-year outcomes were compared between the tertiles of SII.

RESULTS

During the hospitalization, major stroke, ipsilateral stoke, myocardial infarction, death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) rates were significantly higher in high SII level (T3) compared to SII levels (T1 and 2). In long-term outcomes, ipsilateral stroke, major stroke, transient ischemic attack, death, and MACE were significantly higher in the patients with higher SII level (T3). The 5-year Kaplan-Meier overall survival for T1, T2, and T3 were 97.5%, 96.7% and 86.0% respectively. In-hospital and 5-year regression analyses demonstrated that high SII was independently associated with MACE and mortality.

CONCLUSION

SII was independently associated with in-hospital and long-term clinical outcomes in patients undergoing CAS. Immune and inflammation status, as assessed easily and quickly using SII, has a good discriminative value in these patients.

Leukocytes are not Reliable in Predicting Possible Diaphragmatic Injury in Patients with Penetrating Left Thoracoabdominal Stab Wounds

BACKGROUND

The diaphragm is injured in approximately one-third of penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab wounds. Diagnostic laparoscopy or thoracoscopy is performed to reveal the diaphragmatic injury. This study investigated whether leukocytes, leukocyte subgroups, platelets, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and the thrombocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) can be used to detect diaphragm injury without the need for diagnostic laparoscopy.

METHODS

Patients hospitalized between January 2010 and January 2020 due to penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab wounds were examined. Laparotomy was performed in patients who had indications for laparotomy, such as hemodynamic instability and peritonitis. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed to reveal possible diaphragmatic injury in patients who did not require laparotomy after 48h of follow-up. Leukocytes, leukocyte subgroups, platelets, NLR, and PLR were measured both at admission and during follow-up, and the results were compared between patients with and without diaphragm injury during diagnostic laparoscopy.

RESULTS

The study included 108 patients with penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab wounds that did not require laparotomy after 48h of follow-up. Of these, 102 patients were male (94.44%), and the average age was 27.68 years (range 15-66 years). Diaphragm injury was detected in 31 patients (28.70%) in diagnostic laparoscopy, and the diaphragm was intact in 77 patients (71.30%). In the comparison of patients with and without diaphragmatic injury, no statistically significant difference was found in terms of age, gender, platelets, leukocyte values, NLR, and PLR both at admission and during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Leukocytes, leukocyte subsets, platelets, NLR, and PLR were insufficient in the detection of asymptomatic diaphragmatic injuries caused by penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab wounds.

Do platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) have a predictive value on pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) results?

BACKGROUND

It is difficult to predict the complications and prognosis of ECMO, which is gaining widespread use in patients with pediatric surgery. Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are emerging inflammatory markers that can be calculated from complete blood count, which is a cheap and easily accessible laboratory analysis. The ratios between cellular elements in peripheral blood have been demonstrated to provide information on inflammation, infection, and immune response.

METHODS

Sixty-seven patients who needed ECMO application after undergoing pediatric cardiovascular surgery in our clinic, between May 2005 and April 2020, were included in this study. The age of patients varied between 4 days and 17 years with a mean of 30.59 ± 147.26 months.

RESULTS

The relationships between PLR or NLR values and various blood parameters and blood gas results were found to be statistically nonsignificant in our group of pediatric ECMO recipients. Even if the effect of PLR and NLR values on mortality and prognosis is statistically nonsignificant in patients who need ECMO after congenital heart surgery, PLR and NLR are typically elevated in the postoperative period. An increase in these values above a certain threshold may be a statistically significant indicator for the prediction of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

There are few studies in the literature concerning PLR and NLR values in patients with pediatric heart surgery. We consider this study will make way for new studies in the future.

Prognostic value of peripheral blood inflammatory cell subsets in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of inflammatory cells in peripheral blood on the prognosis of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

Patients (n=1558) were consecutively enrolled and the median follow-up was 1142 days. Patients were divided into the major adverse cardiac events (MACE) 1 group (n=63) (all-cause mortality [n=58] and rehospitalization for severe heart failure [n=5], no MACE1 group (n=1495), MACE2 group (n=38) (cardiac mortality [n=33] and rehospitalization for severe heart failure [n=5]), and no MACE2 group (n=1520). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were analyzed.

Results

The NLR, MLR, and PLR were higher in the MACE groups than in the no MACE groups. Different subsets of inflammatory cells had similar diagnostic values for MACE. Kaplan–Meier curves showed that the survival time gradually decreased with an increase in the degree of risk as determined by the NLR, MLR, and PLR. The risk of MACE was highest in the extremely high-risk group.

Conclusion

Peripheral blood inflammatory cell subsets can predict MACE in patients with ACS undergoing PCI. These cell subsets could be important laboratory markers for the prognosis and clinical treatment of these patients.

The relation between neutrophil/lymphocyte and platelet/lymphocyte ratios with mortality and limb amputation after acute limb ischaemia

OBJECTIVE

Acute limb ischaemia is still considered a significant event, with considerable early- and long-term amputation and mortality risk. Our study aims to investigate the predictive role of pre-operative neutrophil/lymphocyte and platelet/lymphocyte ratios in terms of mortality and amputation risk in patients with acute limb ischaemia.

METHODS

Pre-operative blood samples of all patients admitted with acute limb ischaemia were used to calculate neutrophil/lymphocyte and platelet/lymphocyte ratios. Population was subdivided into quartiles by platelet/lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio values, and Kaplan-Meier life tables were obtained for overall survival and limb salvage. The optimal neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and platelet/lymphocyte ratio cut-offs were obtained from receiver operating characteristic curves with all-cause mortality and all kinds of amputation. Stepwise multivariate analysis was performed in order to identify independent risk and protective factors for mortality and amputations.

RESULTS

A total of 168 patients were included in the analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curves identified cut-off values for neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and platelet/lymphocyte ratio: neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio ≥5.57 for mortality; neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio ≥6.66 and platelet/lymphocyte ratio ≥269.9 for all amputations. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that survival rate in group neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio <5.57 was 83.4%, 78.9%, 73.7%, and 59.8%, respectively, at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months; in neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio ≥5.57 group was 62.4%, 51.3%, 47.8, and 43.7%, respectively (p < 0.0001). Freedom from all amputations was significantly higher in case of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and platelet/lymphocyte ratio below the identified cut-off values (p < 0.0001). Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and platelet/lymphocyte ratio were found as independent risk factors.

CONCLUSION

Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and platelet/lymphocyte ratio are reliable markers for stratification of mortality and limb amputations in patients with acute limb ischaemia. The inexpensive nature and ready availability of these biomarkers' values reinforced their usefulness in everyday clinical practice.

Impact of inflammatory cell ratio, biomarkers, activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time on chronic subdural haematoma severity and outcome

INTRODUCTION

Chronic subdural haematoma (CSH) has multifactorial mechanisms involved in its development and progression. Identifying readily available inflammatory and coagulation indices that can predict the prognosis of CSH will help in clinical care, prognosis, generating objective criteria for assessing efficacy of treatment strategies and comparisons of treatment efficacy between clinical studies. We conducted a study in which we evaluated the impact value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), inflammatory biomarkers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR) at presentation on CSH severity and outcome using Glasgow outcome scale (GOS), Markwalder grading scale (MGS) and Lagos brain disability examination scale (LABDES).

METHODS

We prospectively studied patients in a single healthcare system with clinical and radiological features of chronic subdural haematoma. Only patients who were managed surgically were recruited. The primary outcome was predictors of severe form CSH (using admission Glasgow coma scale score, MGS grade, inflammatory cells and biomarkers, APTT, PT, and INR) and outcome (using GOS, MGS and LABDES grades 3 months) with secondary outcome being mortality rate, 3 months following surgery. Good outcome was defined as GOS score > 3, LABDES score ≥ 40 at three months and MGS score < 2. Differences in categorical and continuous variables between groups were compared using Fisher's exact test or Chi-square test (χ2) analysis, one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test (in case of non-normal distribution).

RESULTS

We included 61 patients with a male-to-female ratio of 2.6:1 and mean age of 57.5 ± 13.3 years (median 58 years; 27-83 years). The pre-op MGS grade was significantly associated with the LABDES (p = 0.034), GOS (p = 0.011) and post-op MGS (p = 0.007) grade. All the patients that died had elevated APTT and PT with low PLR. A low admission PLR was significantly associated with a poor outcome using the GOS (p = 0.001), MGS (p = 0.011) and LABDES grade (p = 0.006) (Table 3). A high APTT was also significantly associated with a worse outcome using GOS (p = 0.007), MGS (p = 0.007) and LABDES grade (p = 0.003). There were three (4.9%) deaths with post-mortem diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, chronic renal failure and irreversible craniocaudal herniation syndrome. All the patients that died had elevated APTT and PT with low PLR.

CONCLUSION

Patients' admission APTT, PT, INR and PLR are good predictors of outcome using the GOS. A high admission INR is also associated with a worse outcome using MGS and LABDES grade.

Relationship Between C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio and Coronary Collateral Circulation in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease

We investigated the relationship between the C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR) and coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Patients with stable CAD (n = 354) who underwent coronary angiography for suspected CAD and had a total occlusion ≥1 major coronary artery were included in the study. The participants were divided into 2 groups according to the Rentrop score as satisfactory CCC (Rentrop 2-3) and poor CCC (Rentrop 0-1). Patients who had poor CCC had a higher CRP, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and CAR levels compared with those who had satisfactory CCC (P < .001, P = .046, P < .001, respectively). The CAR (odds ratio: 3.522, 95% CI: 2.515-4.932, P < .001), CRP, NLR, and diabetes mellitus were independent predictors of poor CCC. In receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the optimal cutoff value of CAR to predict poor CCC was 1.27 (area under ROC curve = 0.735 [95% CI: 0.667-0.803], P < .001). A raised CAR may be an independent predictor of poor CCC.

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio relates to poor prognosis in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a novel biomarker to predict the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients.

AIM

The study aimed to evaluate the in-hospital outcomes of elderly patients with AMI and assessed the prognostic value of PLR on in-hospital adverse events.

METHODS

A total of 1,001 patients were divided into an older group (n = 560) and a younger group (n = 441) based on age ≥ 60 years and successfully underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 12 h after presentation. Total white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets counts were measured at admission.

RESULTS

The incidence of heart rupture, acute heart failure, total adverse events, and death resulting from all events were significantly higher in patients ≥ 60 years than in younger patients, whereas the incidence of postoperative angina and reinfarction were similar between groups. Regarding blood counts, total white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets were lower in the older group than in the younger group. The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) was significantly higher in the older group. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, high PLR > 147 predicted adverse events (specificity 72% and sensitivity 63%). In multiple logistic regression analysis, age, hypertension, and PLR were identified as independent predictors of adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

The in-hospital outcomes of elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction were poor. PLR was an independent risk factor for in-hospital adverse events, which suggested that strong inflammation and prothrombotic status may contribute to the poor prognoses of elderly patients.

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and prognosis in STEMI: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a haematological index which reflects increased level of inflammation and thrombosis. We aimed to summarize the potential prognostic role of PLR for the in-hospital and long-term outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in a meta-analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant cohort studies were identified by search the PubMed, Cochrane's Library and Embase databases. A random-effect model was applied to pool the results. In-hospital and long-term outcomes were compared between patients with higher and lower preprocedural PLR.

RESULTS

Eleven cohorts with 12 619 patients were included. Pooled results showed that higher preprocedural PLR was independently associated with increased risk of in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, risk ratio [RR]: 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39 to 2.22, P < .001; I²  = 49%), cardiac mortality (RR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.18 to 3.09, P = .009; I²  = 0), all-cause mortality (RR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.52 to 3.01, P < .001, I²  = 24%) and no reflow after pPCI (RR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.70 to 2.90, P < .001, I²  = 59%). Moreover, higher preprocedural PLR was associated with increased risk of MACE (RR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.25 to 2.03, I²  = 57%, P < .001) and all-cause mortality (RR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.53 to 3.66, I²  = 78%, P < .001) during long-term follow-up of up to 82 months after discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher PLR predicts poor in-hospital and long-term prognosis in STEMI patients after pPCI.

Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio at Admission as a Predictor of In-Hospital and Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is the most severe form of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) which is associated with significant adverse outcomes. Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a novel inflammatory biomarker that has been used as a predictor of various cardiovascular diseases, including ACS. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the prognostic value of PLR as a predictor of in-hospital and long-term outcomes in patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

We performed a comprehensive systematic literature search in the databases of PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest for eligible studies. The primary outcomes were major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) and mortality, both in-hospital and long-term follow-up. The outcomes were compared between patients with high and low admission PLR. The quality assessment was conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Review Manager 5.3 was used to perform the meta-analysis.

Results

Six cohort studies involving 4,289 STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled analysis showed that a high PLR at admission was associated with increased in-hospital MACE (odds ratio (OR) = 1.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.56 - 2.40, P < 0.00001, I² = 45%) and in-hospital mortality (OR = 2.07; 95% CI = 1.53 - 2.80; P < 0.00001; I² = 50%), as well as increased long-term MACE (OR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.31 - 3.00; P = 0.001; I² = 72%) and long-term mortality (OR = 2.79; 95% CI = 1.45 - 5.36; P = 0.002; I² = 83%).

Conclusions

In patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI, a high PLR at admission predicts in-hospital MACE and mortality along with long-term MACE and mortality.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predict Mortality in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers Undergoing Amputations

PURPOSE

Elevated platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are associated with poor outcomes in various diseases. The objectives of this study were to explore the utility of PLR and NLR in predicting all-cause mortality in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) undergoing amputations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective observational study was performed that included a total of 348 DFU patients undergoing amputations. The primary end-point was all-cause death. According to the PLR and NLR cut-off values, patients were divided into two groups and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed. Multivariable Cox regression was conducted to test the independent predictors of mortality in the study cohort.

RESULTS

All-cause mortality was significantly higher in patients with a high PLR/NLR compared to those with a low PLR/NLR. In the low NLR group, the overall survival (OS) rates at 1, 3, and 5 years after amputation were 96.8%, 84% and 80.1%, respectively (p=0.001). In the high NLR group the corresponding OS rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 85.2%, 58.6% and 23.9% (p<0.001). According to the multivariate analysis, age (HR 1.074, 95% CI 1.045-1.104, p<0.001), Wagner classification (HR 2.274, 95% CI 1.351-3.828, p=0.002), PLR (HR 1.794, 95% CI 1.014-3.174, p=0.045), NLR (HR 2.029, 95% CI 1.177-3.499, p=0.011), creatinine (HR 1.003, 95% CI 1.001-1.004, p<0.001) and direct bilirubin (HR 1.154, 95% CI 1.081-1.232, p<0.001) were independent predictors of mortality following amputation.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative PLR and NLR values may be reliable predictive biomarkers of mortality in patients following amputation for DFU. Considering the high mortality in those patients, the patients with elevated PLR/NLR should be given more intensive in clinical practice.

Association of platelet to lymphocyte ratio with in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events and the severity of coronary artery disease assessed by the Gensini score in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background:

The platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has recently emerged as a potential inflammatory biomarker and has been shown to be significantly associated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, we aimed to explore the association of PLR with in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and the severity of CAD assessed by the Gensini score (GS) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing coronary angiography.

Methods:

A total of 502 patients with AMI consecutively treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (Qingdao, China) and underwent coronary angiography from August 2017 to December 2018 were recruited in this study. The demographic, clinical, angiographic characteristics, and laboratory parameters were collected. According to the presence of in-hospital MACEs, the included patients were divided into the MACE group (n = 81) and the non-MACE group (n = 421). Further, according to tertiles of the GS, the patients were classified into three groups: the low GS group (GS ≤ 32 points, n = 173), medium GS group (32 points < GS ≤ 60 points, n = 169), and high GS group (60 points < GS ≤ 180 points, n = 160). The main statistical methods included Chi-squared test, non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results:

The PLR in the MACE group was significantly higher than that in the non-MACE group (179.43 [132.84, 239.74] vs. 116.11 [87.98, 145.45], Z = –8.109, P < 0.001). Further, there were significant differences in PLR among the tertiles of GS (110.05 [84.57, 139.06] vs. 119.78 [98.44, 157.98] vs. 140.00 [102.27, 191.83], H = 19.524, P < 0.001). PLR was demonstrated to be an independent risk factor of in-hospital MACEs (odds ratio [OR]: 1.012, 95% confidential interval [CI]: 1.006–1.018, P < 0.001) and severe CAD assessed by the GS (OR: 1.004, 95% CI: 1.002–1.009, P = 0.042). The cutoff value of PLR for predicting the development of in-hospital MACEs was 151.28 with a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 78.1% (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.786, 95% CI: 0.730–0.842, P < 0.001), and a PLR of 139.31 was also identified to be an effective cutoff point for detecting a high GS (>60 points) with a sensitivity of 49.4% and a specificity of 69.6% (AUC: 0.611, 95% CI: 0.556–0.666, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

PLR as a novel inflammatory marker is significantly and independently associated with the occurrence of in-hospital MACEs and the severity of CAD assessed by the GS in patients with AMI. As an easily available and inexpensive inflammatory indicator, PLR could be widely used as an efficient inflammatory biomarker for identifying high-risk patients and for individualizing targeted therapy to improve the prognosis of AMI.

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio is a predictor of long-term mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process and inflammation is an important component of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a useful parameter showing the degree of the inflammatory response.

Aim

To explore the association between PLR and long-term mortality in patients with ACS.

Material and methods

A total of 538 patients who had a diagnosis of ACS between January 2012 and August 2013 were followed up to 60 months. On admission, blood sampling to calculate PLR and detailed clinical data were obtained.

Results

In total, 538 patients with a mean age of 61.5 ±13.1 years (69% male) were enrolled in the study. Median follow-up was 79 months (IQR: 74–83 months). Patients were divided into 3 tertiles based on PLR levels. Five-year mortality of the patients was significantly higher among patients in the upper PLR tertile when compared with the lower and middle PLR tertile groups (55 (30.7%) vs. 27 (15.0%) and 34 (19.0%); p < 0.001, p = 0.010 respectively). In the Cox regression analysis, a high level of PLR was an independent predictor of 5-year mortality (OR = 1.005, 95% CI: 1.001–1.008, p = 0.004). Kaplan-Meier analysis according to the long-term mortality-free survival revealed the higher occurrence of mortality in the third PLR tertile group compared to the first (p < 0.001) and second tertiles (p = 0.009).

Conclusions

PLR, which is an easily calculated and universally available marker, may be useful in long-term risk classification of patients presenting with ACS.

The prognostic value of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio on in-hospital mortality in admitted adult traffic accident patients

BACKGROUND

The predictive value of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in acute illness is well known, but further evaluation is needed in traffic accident patients.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study enrolled consecutive adult patients involved in traffic accidents who were admitted to the study hospital's emergency department during 1 year. The initial platelet and lymphocyte counts after arrival at the emergency department were the variables of interest. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Data on baseline characteristics, comorbidities, and physiological and laboratory variables were collected. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard modelings were used to identify the variables independently associated with the outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 1,522 traffic accident patient were screened, and 488 patients were enrolled. In all, 43 (8.8%) patients died in the hospital. The median PLR was 115.3 (interquartile range 71.3;181.8). The in-hospital mortality rate of the 1st tertile of PLR (21.5%) was significantly higher than the rates of the 2nd (2.5%) and 3rd (2.5%) tertiles. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of PLR for in-hospital survival was 0.82 (95% confidential interval [CI], 0.74-0.89), which was greater than that of lymphocyte count (0.72; 95% CI 0.63-0.81) and platelet count (0.67; 95% CI 0.57-0.76). The Kaplan-Meier curves showed a significant difference in survival between the tertiles (p<0.001). The Cox regression model showed that the 2nd tertile of PLR was independently associated with lower in-hospital mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 0.30; 95% CI, 0.09-0.98), compared to the 1st tertile.

CONCLUSION

PLR was significantly associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality in admitted adult traffic accident patients.

Does systemic inflammation play a role in patients with pterygium?

PURPOSE

To compare parameters of systemic inflammation and serum lipid levels in patients with pterygium versus healthy individuals.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients with pterygium and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled as two respective groups in a retrospective study. The participants' complete blood count (CBC) parameters and levels of serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides (TG) were obtained from digital records and compared. Their neutrophil/lymphocyte, platelet/lymphocyte, and monocyte/HDL ratios were calculated and compared as well. As secondary outcomes, longitudinal length (LL), basal length (BL), and total area (TA) of pterygium among the patients were quantitatively measured by using ImageJ software. Correlations between serum parameters and pterygium measurements were analyzed.

RESULTS

Although between-group differences in CBC parameters and the ratios were not statistically significant, HDL levels were significantly lower (p = 0.014) and TG levels significantly higher (p = 0.031) among patients with pterygium than among the controls. A positive correlation was detected between the patient's age and the pterygium's BL (p = 0.002, r = 0.516), LL (p = 0.00, r = 0.547), and TA (p = 0.00, r = 0.515). Neutrophil levels negatively correlated with LL (p = 0.025, β = - 0.308) and TA (p = 0.002, β = - 0.420).

CONCLUSION

Local instead of systemic inflammation should be considered in the management of pterygium. Besides, decreased HDL levels may indicate systemic oxidative stress in patients with the condition.

Preoperative Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Is Not Associated With Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and is associated with increased short-term and long-term mortality. While the precise etiology of POAF remains unclear, inflammation is a known contributing factor. Preliminary studies have suggested that an elevated preoperative platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), an inexpensive and readily available novel inflammatory biomarker, may be associated with increased incidence of POAF after CABG. This study sought to further investigate this hypothesis.

METHODS

The study cohort included all patients undergoing isolated CABG, with no prior history of arrhythmia, who were operated on between August 1, 2010, and December 31, 2018, at a major Australian tertiary center (n = 1457). Patients were divided into low (<86) or high (≥86) PLR groups based on an optimal cutoff derived from receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. The incidence of POAF was then compared. Categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square test and continuous variables using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 1457 patients, 495 (34.0%) developed POAF. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of POAF between patients in the high-PLR and low-PLR groups (34.8% vs 31.0%; P = .22). Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, high PLR was not independently associated with POAF (odds ratio, 1.04; P = .78).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated preoperative PLR is not independently associated with POAF in patients undergoing isolated CABG. The findings of this study differ from those of 2 previous smaller studies.

Relationship of arteriovenous fistula stenosis and thrombosis with the platelet-lymphocyte ratio in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND

The platelet-lymphocyte ratio, which was reported to have a strong relationship with chronic inflammation and thrombosis, is a useful biomarker. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the platelet-lymphocyte ratio, arteriovenous stenosis, and thrombosis in patients with chronic renal failure.

METHODS

Patients who were referred to our interventional radiology department due to arteriovenous fistula dysfunction from dialysis units between August 2015 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. In the study, 95 patients with arteriovenous fistula access problems were included. Patients were divided into two groups: stenosis (n = 52) and thrombosis (n = 43). Thirty-six subjects with a patent left radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula proven by both color Doppler ultrasonography and clinically were added to the control group. Blood samples were obtained on the same day before the fistulography.

RESULTS

Platelet counts, lymphocyte counts, and platelet-lymphocyte ratio were found to be significantly different between the three groups. After the Bonferroni post hoc analysis, there was a significant difference between the stenosis and control group (p = 0.017), and the thrombosis and control group (p < 0.001) in terms of the platelet-lymphocyte ratio. No significant difference for any parameter was found between stenosis and thrombosis group.

CONCLUSION

High levels of the platelet-lymphocyte ratio may be a supportive finding of arteriovenous fistula stenosis and thrombosis and can be taken into consideration during hemodialysis-dependent patients' follow-up.

The association between platelet/lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, and carotid artery stenosis and stroke following carotid endarterectomy

Objectives

Platelet/lymphocyte ratio is considered to be a recent biomarker which is not only related with inflammation but also associated with the atherosclerotic process. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between carotid artery stenosis, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, and mean platelet volume in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.

Methods

A total of 160 patients (127 males, 33 females; mean age 69.98 ± 9.76 years; range 48–92 years), who were undergoing carotid endarterectomy due to severe carotid artery stenosis, were evaluated and compared with 201 patients (140 males, 61 females, mean age 66.30 ± 9.24 years, range 41–90 years) without severe carotid artery stenosis. The patients were divided into four groups with respect to the carotid artery stenosis as: Group I (<50% stenosis), Group II (50–70% stenosis), Group III (70–90% stenosis), and Group IV (90–99% stenosis).

Results

Platelet/lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume were found higher in Group IV (patients with severe carotid artery stenosis) (p < 0.01) and were positively correlated with the degree of stenosis (p < 0.01). Platelet/lymphocyte ratio is an independent predictor for post operative stroke (p = 0.047) at multivariate analysis. A threshold level of 145.304 of platelet/lymphocyte ratio combined with a sensitivity 83.3% and specificity 73.8% (95% CI, 0.802–0.921, area under the curve = 0.862 ± 0.03; p = 0.002) for the identification of post operative stroke.

Conclusions

This retrospective study suggests that platelet/lymphocyte ratio in the blood which was taken preoperatively could be considered as an additional, easy, and inexpensive method to predict a possible higher incidence of postoperative stroke after carotid endarterectomy.

Higher Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Is Associated With Worse Outcomes After Intravenous Thrombolysis in Acute Ischaemic Stroke

Objective: The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a new marker of atherosclerotic inflammation and has been identified as a predictive factor in cardiovascular diseases, but its significance in patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) who have undergone intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is still unknown.

Methods: Consecutive patients who were treated with IVT using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) for AIS were included from May 2012 to August 2018. The PLR was calculated according to platelet and lymphocyte counts within 24 h after thrombolysis therapy. Functional outcomes were assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months after thrombolysis. Stroke severity was assessed by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores. The primary endpoint was an unfavorable outcome (mRS > 2), and the secondary endpoint was death at 3 months.

Results: A total of 286 patients were included in the study. The median age was 69.5 (59.0–80.0) years, and 59.1% of patients were men. A total of 120 (42.0%) patients had an unfavorable outcome, and 38 (13.2%) died. Patients with an unfavorable outcome had significantly higher PLR values compared with those with a favorable outcome [172.5 (105.3–239.0) vs. 139 (97.0–194.5), P = 0.008], and the PLR values of the patients who died at 3 months were higher than those of the surviving patients [189.5 (127.5–289.0) vs. 142.0 (98.0–215.5), P = 0.006]. After adjustment for other variables, the PLR was independently associated with the two endpoints: unfavorable outcome (OR 2.220, 95% CI 1.245–3.957, P = 0.007) and death (OR 2.825, 95% CI 1.050–7.601, P = 0.040) at 3 months after thrombolysis. In addition, PLR was correlated with the NIHSS score (R = 0.230, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Higher PLR levels were independently associated with an unfavorable outcome and death at 3 months in AIS patients treated with IVT.

The prognostic role of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with acute heart failure: A cohort study

Identification of rapid, inexpensive, and reliable prognostic factors can improve survival estimation and guide healthcare in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). In this study, we aimed to determine the prognostic value of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in patients with AHF. A total of 443 patients from two hospitals met the inclusion criteria from January 2010 to December 2017. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were performed to determine the association of PLR with survival. All-cause mortality was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The 6-month survival rate for patients according to PLR quartiles (<110.63, 110.63-139.23, 139.23-177.17, and >177.17) were 90.09%, 76.79%, 50.07%, and 37.27%, respectively (p < 0.001). Univariate analysis identified high PLR (>110.63), old age (≥73 years), smoking habit, low estimated glomerular filtration rate (<57), and high platelet count (≥198 × 10⁹/l) as poor prognostic factors for survival. In the multivariate analysis, after adjusting for confounding factors, the third (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.118, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.668-5.386, p < 0.001) and fourth (HR = 2.437, 95% CI = 1.302-3.653, p < 0.001) quartiles of PLR were identified as independent prognostic factors in patients with AHF. A higher PLR was associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with AHF and might be a novel marker in AHF management.

Mean Platelet Volume Predicts Short-term Prognosis in Young Patients with St-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background: Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is an uncommon diagnosis in patients less than 40 years of age. Over the last two decades, there is an increase in the frequency of cardiovascular events among young adults. However, at present there is only limited clinical data on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of STEMI in young patients who were treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Plaque erosion is the underlying pathological mechanism leading to STEMI in the vast majority of young adults. Thrombi that complicate superficial erosion seem more platelet-rich than the fibrinous clots precipitated by plaque rupture. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is recognized as a marker of the platelet activation process and may be a better indicator of short-term prognosis than the inflammatory markers in young patients with STEMI. Therefore, we aimed to investigate clinical and angiographic characteristics, risk factors and the independent value of MPV on predicting short-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in young adults with STEMI. Methods: A total of 349 patients aged 40 years or younger who underwent pPCI at our center between 2010–2015 with the diagnosis of STEMI were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The mean age of the patients was 36.4 ± 3.6 years and 90% of them were men. Smoking was by far the most frequent cardiovascular risk factor. MACEs were observed in 23 patients (6.6%), and according to the multivariate regression analysis, Killip IIIIV (OR 7.52, 95% CI 1.25–45.24, p = 0.03), lower admission SBP (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90–0.98, p <0.01) and increased MPV (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.05–2.67, p = 0.03) were found to be independently correlated with MACE in the study population. Conclusion: Our results indicate that MPV is an independent predictor of MACEs at the short-term follow-up in young patients with STEMI undergoing pPCI. Accordingly, we suggested that MPV, a marker of platelet activation, could play a significant role in predicting clinical evolution in young patients with STEMI.

Platelet to lymphocyte ratio predicts all-cause mortality in patients with carotid arterial disease

BACKGROUND

Platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been demonstrated as a risk and prognostic marker in many of cardiovascular diseases. A relationship between PLR and severity of carotid stenosis has been shown. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between PLR and all cause mortality in patients with carotid arterial disease.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 146 patients who had been performed selective carotid angiography. Carotid stenosis were graded by the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) criteria. Platelet to lymphocyte ratio was calculated as the ratio of platelets to lymphocytes. The end point of the study was all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

During median follow-up of 16 months (0-65 months) 15 (10.3%) patients suffered all-cause mortality. 50 patients (34.2%) underwent carotid endarterectomy and 69 patients (47.3%) had non-carotid cardiac surgery. 38 patients (26.02%) had cerebrovascular events (stroke/transient ischemic attack) at admission. NASCET grades were not different between survivors and non-survivors. Non-survivors had significantly lower hemoglobin (Hb) levels (12.7 ± 1.6 g/dL vs. 13.7 ± 1.7 g/dL, p = 0.031) and they were older than survivors (74.2 ± 8.4 years vs. 68.6 ± 8.5 years, p = 0.029). Non-survivors had significantly higher PLR values compared with survivors (190.3 ± 85.6 and 126.8 ± 53.8, p = 0.017). In multivariate analysis, only PLR predicted all-cause mortality in patients with carotid artery stenosis.

CONCLUSION

In our study, higher PLR was associated with increased all-cause mortality.