Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictor of Left Ventricular Apical Thrombus in Patients with Myocardial Infarction

Clinical Phenotypes and Outcomes of Patients with Left Ventricular Thrombus: An Unsupervised Cluster Analysis

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) can develop in a diverse group of patients with various underlying causes resulting in divergent natural histories and trajectories with treatment. Our aim was to utilise cluster analysis to identify unique clinical profiles among LVT patients and then compare their clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, and outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study involving 472 LVT patients whose data was extracted from a tertiary center's echocardiography database, from March 2011 to January 2021. We employed the TwoStep cluster analysis method, examining 19 variables.

RESULTS

Our analysis of the 472 LVT patients revealed two distinct patient clusters. Cluster 1, comprising 247 individuals (52.3%), was characterized by younger patients with a lower incidence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and relatively fewer comorbidities, compared to Cluster 2. Most patients had LVT attributed to an underlying ischaemic condition, with a larger proportion in Cluster 1 being due to post-acute myocardial infarction (68.8%), and Cluster 2 due to ischaemic cardiomyopathy (57.8%). Notably, patients in Cluster 2 exhibited a reduced likelihood of LVT resolution (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.44 - 0.77, p < 0.001) and a higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR 2.27, 95% CI 1.43 - 3.60, p = 0.001). These associations persisted even after adjusting for variables like anticoagulation treatment, the presence of left ventricular aneurysms, and specific LVT characteristics such as mobility, protrusion, and size.

CONCLUSIONS

Through TwoStep cluster analysis, we identified two distinct clinical phenotypes among LVT patients, each distinguished by unique baseline clinical attributes and varying prognoses.

Association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and outcomes in hospitalized patients with left ventricular thrombus

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is a severe cardiovascular complication occurring in approximately 10% of patients with acute anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. This study aimed to evaluate the association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in patients with LVT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This multicenter retrospective study was conducted between January 2000 and June 2022 in hospitalized patients with LVT. The outcome included in-hospital MACCE. The association between NLR and in-hospital MACCE was measured by odds ratios (ORs). The restricted cubic spline model was used for dose-response analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 197 LVT patients from four centers were included for analysis in this study. MACCE occurred in 13.7% (27/197) of the patients. After adjusting for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), D-dimer, and age, the OR for MACCE comparing first to the third tertile of NLR was 13.93 [95% confidence interval: 2.37-81.77, P  = 0.004, P -trend = 0.008]. When further adjusting for etiology and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the association remained statistically significant. Spline regression models showed an increasing trend in the incidence of MACCEs with NLR both in crude and adjusted models. Subgroup analyses showed that a high NLR may be correlated with poorer outcomes for LVT patients older than 65 years, or with hypertension, dyslipidemia, low ejection fraction, liver, and renal dysfunctions.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, these findings suggested that higher NLR may be associated with an increased risk of in-hospital MACCE in patients with LVT.

Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score Predicted High-Grade Intracoronary Thrombus in Acute Anterior Myocardial Infarction

High-grade intracoronary thrombus (ICT) burden leads to greater myocardial injury following anterior myocardial infarction (MI). The modified Glasgow prohgnostic score (mGPS) is a novel immune-inflammatory index, calculated by using C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin levels, was shown to have prognostic value in heart diseases. The present study investigated the role of mGPS in predicting high grade ICT in patients with acute anterior MI admitted between February 2017 and March 2020. Blood samples were obtained at admission and mGPS was calculated. The ICT burden was evaluated visually from angiographic images. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the ICT burden as high and low. A total of 1132 patients were enrolled: a mean age 61 ± 12.4 years and 370 males (32.7%). Serum albumin was lower, whereas mGPS and CRP were higher in high grade ICT group. CRP (odds ratio (OR): 1.404 95% CI: 1.312-1.502; P < .001), albumin (OR: .486; 95% CI: .301-.782 P < .001), and mGPS (0 vs ≥ 1) (OR: 7.391; 95% CI: 3.910-13.972; P < .001) were independent predictors of high-grade ICT burden in the left anterior descending coronary artery. The mGPS is a novel predictor of high-grade ICT burden and may be useful for risk stratification in patients with acute anterior MI.

Clinical predictors of left ventricular thrombus after myocardial infarction as detected by magnetic resonance imaging

Background

The diagnosis of a left ventricular (LV) thrombus in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains challenging. The aim of the current study is to characterize clinical predictors for LV thrombus formation, as detected by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI).

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 337 consecutive STEMI patients. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and CMRI during their index hospitalization. We developed a novel risk stratification model (ThrombScore) to identify patients at risk of developing an LV thrombus.

Results

CMRI revealed the presence of LV thrombus in 34 patients (10%), of whom 33 (97%) had experienced an anterior wall myocardial infarction (MI), and the majority (77%) had at least mildly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF < 45%). The sensitivity for thrombus formation of the first and second TTE was 5.9% and 59%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression model revealed that elevated C-reactive protein levels, lack of ST-segment elevation (STe) resolution, elevated creatine phosphokinase levels, and STe in anterior ECG leads are robust independent predictors for developing an LV thrombus. These variables were incorporated to construct the ThrombScore: a simple six-point risk model. The odds ratio for developing thrombus per one-point increase in the score was 3.2 (95% CI 2.1-5.01; p < 0.001). The discrimination analysis of the model revealed a c-statistic of 0.86 for thrombus development. The model identified three distinct categories (I, II, and III) with corresponding thrombus incidences of 0%, 1.6%, and 27.6%, respectively.

Conclusion

ThrombScore is a simple and practical clinical model for risk stratification of thrombus formation in patients with STEMI.

The prognostic importance of the Naples prognostic score for in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The Naples prognostic score (NPS) is an effective inflammatory and nutritional scoring system widely applied as a prognostic factor in various cancers. However, the prognostic significance of NPS is unknown in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to analyze the prognostic value of the NPS in-hospital mortality in patients with STEMI.

METHODS

The study consisted of 3828 patients diagnosed with STEMI who underwent primer percutaneous coronary intervention. As the primary outcome, in-hospital mortality was defined as all-cause deaths during hospitalization. The included patients were categorized into three groups based on NPS (group 1:NPS = 0,1,2; group 2:NPS = 3; group 3:NPS = 4).

RESULTS

Increased NPS was associated with higher in-hospital mortality rates( P  < 0.001). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, the relationship between NPS and in-hospital mortality continued after adjustment for age, male sex, diabetes, hypertension, Killip score, SBP, heart rate, left ventricular ejection fraction, myocardial infarction type and postprocedural no-reflow. A strong positive association was found between in-hospital mortality and NPS by multivariable logistic regression analysis [NPS 0-1-2 as a reference, OR = 1.73 (95% CI, 1.04-2.90) for NPS 3, OR = 2.83 (95% CI, 1.76-4.54) for NPS 4].

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrates that the NPS could independently predict in-hospital mortality in STEMI. Prospective studies will be necessary to confirm the performance, clinical applicability and practicality of the NPS for in-hospital mortality in STEMI.

The relationship between CHA2DS2VASc score and left ventricular apical thrombus formation in patients with acute anterior ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular apical thrombus (LVAT) formation is a well-known complication of acute anterior myocardial infarction (AMI). The CHA2DS2VASc is a scoring system that has been used to estimate the risk of thromboembolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. This score has also been used for other clinical conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between CHA2DS2VASc score and development of LVAT in patients with AMI.

METHOD

The study population included 378 patients (mean age: 56.5 ± 12.3 years, male: 318) presenting with AMI between January 2016 and January 2020. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention procedure was performed in all patients. Initial echocardiogram was performed within 7 days of admission. All patients were evaluated with echocardiography at 3rd, 6th and 12th months. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of LVAT on echocardiography.

RESULTS

The incidence of the LVAT was 8.5% (n = 32) during a mean follow-up time of 233.1 ± 66.7 days. The mean CHA2DS2VASc score was notably higher in patients with LVAT compared to patients in the control group (3.1 ± 1.9 vs. 1.9 ± 1.2, p < 0.001). In Cox regression analysis, high CHA2DS2VASc score, low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the presence of LV apical akinesis/aneurysm were the independent predictors for LVAT formation. All of these parameters were associated with higher cumulative incidence of LVAT formation in Kaplan-Meier analyses (p < 0.001 for all).

CONCLUSION

High CHA2DS2VASc score, low LVEF and the presence of LV apical akinesis/aneurysm may be used for LVAT risk prediction among patients presenting with AMI.

Pathogenetic Link of Cardiac Rupture and Left Ventricular Thrombus Following Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Joint Preclinical and Clinical Study

Background

Cardiac rupture (CR) and left ventricular thrombus (LVT) remain important complications of acute myocardial infarction (MI), and they are currently regarded as independent events. We explored the pathogenetic link between CR and LVT by investigating a murine model of MI with a high frequency of CR and in patients with acute MI.

Methods

MI was induced in mice, the onset of CR was monitored, and the hearts of mice with or without fatal CR were histologically examined. Between 2015 and 2022, from patients admitted due to acute MI, the data of patients with CR or LVT were retrospectively collected and compared to uncomplicated patients (control).

Results

A total of 75% of mice (n = 65) with MI developed CR 2–4 days after MI. A histological examination of CR hearts revealed the existence of platelet-rich intramural thrombi in the rupture tunnel, which was connected at the endocardial site to platelet-fibrin thrombi within an LVT. In CR or non-CR mouse hearts, LV blood clots often contained a portion of platelet-fibrin thrombi that adhered to the infarct wall. In non-CR hearts, sites of incomplete CR or erosion of the infarct wall were typically coated with platelet thrombi and dense inflammatory cells. Of 8,936 patients with acute MI, CR and LVT occurred in 102 (1.14%) and 130 (1.45%) patients, respectively, with three cases having both complications. CR accounted for 32.8% of in-hospital deaths. The majority of CR (95%) or LVT (63%, early LVT) occurred within 7 days. In comparison to the control or LVT-late groups, patients with CR or early LVT reported increased levels of cellular and biochemical markers for inflammation or cardiac injury.

Conclusion

CR and LVT after MI are potentially linked in their pathogenesis. LVT occurring early after MI may be triggered by a thrombo-inflammatory response following wall rupture or endocardial erosion.

Does the pre-operative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio have a predictive value in detecting infection in type 3 open tibia diaphysis fractures?

BACKGROUND

This retrospective study was aimed to investigate whether the pre-operative neutrophil-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio has a predictive value in terms of evaluating the development of infection in patients with type 3 open fractures of the tibia diaphysis.

METHODS

A total of 72 patients with type 3 open tibia fractures who consulted to the emergency service at the Necmettin Er-bakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine, during the period between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively examined. A total of 39 patients who underwent external fixator in the first treatment were included in the study. The information pertaining to the patients such as the patient demographic data, type of injury, wound cultures, and N/L rates during the pre-operative period were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of infection: Group 1 (12 patients) consisted of patients who had infec-tion, and Group 2 (27 patients) consisted of patients who had no infection.

RESULTS

34 (87.2%) of the patients were male and 5 (12.8%) were women. The mean age of these patients was 43.18±18.67 (19-80). Infection was detected in 12 (30.8%) out of 39 patients. Of these patients, 9 (75%) were monomicrobial, and 3 (25%) were polymicrobial. The most common mechanism of the injury was gunshot injury in 16 (41%) of all patients. However, there was no sig-nificant difference between the groups in terms of mechanism of injury (p=0.445). When all patients were examined in terms of N/L rates and presence of infection, there was no significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 (p=0.976).

CONCLUSION

Although N/L ratio of the blood in the pre-operative period has a predictive value for chronic diseases, we believe that it has no predictive value for detecting infection in patients with type 3 acute open tibia fractures.

Left Ventricular Thrombus Following Acute Myocardial Infarction: JACC State-of-the-Art Review

The incidence of left ventricular (LV) thrombus following acute myocardial infarction has markedly declined in recent decades caused by advancements in reperfusion and antithrombotic therapies. Despite this, embolic events remain the most feared complication of LV thrombus necessitating systemic anticoagulation. Mechanistically, LV thrombus development depends on Virchow's triad (ie, endothelial injury from myocardial infarction, blood stasis from LV dysfunction, and hypercoagulability triggered by inflammation, with each of these elements representing potential therapeutic targets). Diagnostic modalities include transthoracic echocardiography with or without ultrasound-enhancing agents and cardiac magnetic resonance. Most LV thrombi develop within the first 2 weeks post-acute myocardial infarction, and the role of surveillance imaging appears limited. Vitamin K antagonists remain the mainstay of therapy because the efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants is less well established. Only meager data support the routine use of prophylactic anticoagulation, even in high-risk patients.

Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictor of Venous Thromboembolism after Total Knee Replacement

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potentially serious complication after total knee replacement (TKR), and recent guideline recommends thromboprophylaxis for VTE after TKR. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has emerged as a simple and new prognostic biomarker for several cardiovascular diseases. This study was performed to investigate the precise incidence of postoperative VTE and the role of NLR for predicting VTE in patients receiving thromboprophylaxis after TKR. We retrospectively enrolled 264 patients undergoing TKR who underwent routine screening enhanced pulmonary artery and lower extremity venography computed tomography (CT) scan within 7 postoperative days. Biochemical tests were performed within 2 weeks prior to surgery, and the NLR was defined as the absolute neutrophil count in peripheral blood divided by lymphocyte count. All patients received thromboprophylaxis with enoxaparin postoperatively. Of 264 patients, 102 (38.6%) were diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism on CT scan. Preoperative NLR was significantly higher in patients with postoperative VTE compared with that in patients without VTE (2.57 ± 1.59 vs. 2.11 ± 1.10, p = 0.011). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that a preoperative NLR of 1.90 was the best cutoff value for the prediction of postoperative VTE (sensitivity 57.8%, specificity 55.6%, and area under curve 0.589). In the multivariate analysis, a preoperative NLR ≥1.90 was a sole independent predictor of postoperative VTE (odds ratio: 1.95, 95% computed tomography: 1.16-3.31, p = 0.013). The present study shows a higher incidence of VTE (38.6%) after TKR in patients receiving thromboprophylaxis than that reported in previous studies. Furthermore, preoperative NLR was significantly higher in patients with postoperative VTE, and a high preoperative NLR (≥1.90) was an independent predictor of VTE after TKR. NLR measurement may be a simple and useful method for the prediction of VTE in patients undergoing TKR.

Left ventricular thrombosis: new perspectives on an old problem

Left ventricular thrombosis (LVT) is a major risk factor for systemic thromboembolism and might complicate both the acute and the chronic phase of ischaemic heart disease after myocardial infarction and, less frequently, non-ischaemic cardiomyopathies. The pathophysiology of thrombus formation is complex and involves the three aspects of Virchow's triad: blood stasis, prothrombotic state, and tissue injury. Advances in technology have improved the detection rate of intracardiac thrombi, but several uncertainties still remain regarding the optimal treatment strategy within daily clinical practice. Of note, anticoagulation therapy with heparin and vitamin K antagonists decreases the risk of embolic stroke though exposing patients to an undeniable risk of bleeding complications. Although limited data on the off-label use of direct oral anticoagulants have reported safety and efficacy for LVT resolution, yet more evidence is needed to justify their use in clinical practice.

The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio predict left ventricular thrombus resolution in acute myocardial infarction without percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular thrombosis (LVT) is a potentially devastating complication in post-acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. Previous studies have demonstrated that inflammation may contribute to thrombus formation, but its role on thrombus resolution is uncertain. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are easily accessible haematological markers of inflammation.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to identify differences between post-AMI LVT patients with and without LVT resolution, and to evaluate the utility of NLR and PLR in predicting LVT resolution.

METHODS

We included 289 consecutive post-AMI patients with LVT. Acute LVT was diagnosed based on echocardiogram. Patients were stratified based on LVT resolution. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate for independent predictors of thrombus resolution.

RESULTS

Compared to post-AMI patients with eventual LVT resolution, those with unresolved LVT had more co-morbidities such as hypertension (p = 0.003) and ischaemic heart disease (p < 0.001), fewer underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (p < 0.001) or were treated with triple therapy (p < 0.001). NLR (p = 0.064) and PLR (p = 0.028) were higher in unresolved LVT patients. In non-PCI patients, NLR (OR 0.818, 95% CI 0.674-0.994, p = 0.043) and PLR (OR 0.989, 95% CI 0.979-0.999, p = 0.026) were independent predictors of thrombus resolution after adjustment for age and anticoagulation use.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-AMI patients not receiving PCI may have a greater inflammatory response and a higher NLR and PLR, which is associated with less LVT resolution despite anticoagulation. Further studies are required to study this association.

Predictive value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention: a meta-analysis

Background

The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an indicator of systemic inflammation and a prognostic marker in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study aims to investigate the value of NLR to predict the in-hospital and long-term prognosis in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by meta-analysis.

Method

The studies related to the prognosis of NLR and STEMI patients published in the Pubmed, Embase, and Ovid databases before June 2017 were retrieved. The relevant data were extracted. Review Manager Version 5.3 was used for meta-analysis.

Results

A total of 14 studies of 10,245 patients with STEMI after PCI were included. A significant difference was observed for mortality (P < 0.001; relative risk (RR) 3.32; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.45–4.49), hospital cardiac mortality(P < 0.001; RR 3.22; 95% CI 2.25–4.60), all mortality (P < 0.001; RR 3.23; 95% CI 2.28–4.57), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (P < 0.001; RR 2.00; 95% CI 1.62–2.46), in-stent thrombosis (P < 0.001; RR 2.72 95% CI 1.66–4.44), nonfatal myocardial infarction(MI) (P < 0.001; RR 1.93; 95%CI 1.43–2.61), angina (P = 0.007; RR 1.67; 95%CI 1.15–2.41), advanced heart failure (AHF) (P < 0.001; RR 1.81; 95% CI 1.48–2.21), arrhythmia (P = 0.002; RR 1.38; 95% CI 1.13–1.69), no reflow (P < 0.001; RR 2.28; 95% CI 1.46–3.57), long-term all mortality (P < 0.001; RR 3.82; 95% CI 2.94–4.96), cardiac mortality (P = 0.004; RR 3.02; 95% CI 1.41–6.45), MACE (P < 0.001; RR 2.49; 95% CI 1.47–4.23), and nonfatal MI (P = 0.46; RR 1.32; 95% CI 0.63–2.75).

Conclusions

Meta-analysis shows that NLR is a predictor of hospitalization and long-term prognosis in patients with STEMI after PCI, but requires further confirmation by large randomized clinical trials.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12872-018-0812-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of myocardial damage and cardiac dysfunction in acute coronary syndrome patients

Background

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in peripheral blood is established to correlate with the morbidity and mortality of heart disease patients. We aimed to define the severity of inflammation (NLR) by observing the association of NLR with cardiac functions or myocardial damage parameters in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Methods

Data from 715 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 72 hours of incidence in 2016 were analysed retrospectively.

Results

The NLR ranges from 0.50 to 46 (medium ± SD, 2.76 ± 2.96) in 715 patients. NLR positively correlated with myocardial damage (NLR vs. CK-mB: p < 0.0001) but negatively correlated with myocardial function (NLR vs. EF: p < 0.0001; NLR vs. FS: p < 0.0001). Myocardial damage markers (CK, CK-mB, ASL, LDH) were significantly increased, and cardiac contractile parameters (EF and FS) were reduced at NLR > 2.76 compared to those of NLR < 2.76. ELISA analysis has shown that IL-10 was significantly increased when NLR ≥ 4.6 and TGF-β was increased at NLR > 4. The correlation was diminished between NLR and CK-mB at NLR > 2.76 or at NLR > 4, but that of NLR and EF or FS was maintained in NLR > 2.76 and at NLR > 4. EF and FS were comparable between NLR > 2.76 and NLR > 4. But myocardial damage parameters increased significantly at NLR > 4 compared to those of NLR > 2.76.

Conclusion

NLR is a strong predictor of myocardial damage in acute myocardial patients. High NLR are associated with myocardial dysfunction in all the patients. Severe inflammation (NLR) can predict the consequence of the heart in patients with coronary syndrome.

[Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a predictor for type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cohort study of 404 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the value of neutrophil?to?lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for predicting type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODS

A cohort of 404 non?diabetic patients diagnosed with stable COPD between January, 2010 and December, 2012 at Zhujiang Hospital were enrolled and followed up for 3 years, during which fast blood glucose (FBG) was monitored every 6 months. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of T2DM, and the cumulative incidence of T2DM in this cohort was calculated. The patients who developed T2DM and those without T2DM at the end of the follow?up were compared for clinical parameters to identify the potential predictors for T2DM in patients with stable COPD.

RESULTS

After follow?up for a mean of 2.1 years, 41 (10.1%) patients with COPD developed T2DM, who showed significantly higher baseline NLR levels than those without T2DM (P<0.001). The receiver?operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that the optimum cut?off value for NLR was 5.626. Spearman rank correlation analysis suggested that the incidence of T2DM in the patients was positively correlated with the number of hospital admissions for acute exacerbation of COPD in the past year (r=0.136, P=0.006), hypertension (r=0.151, P=0.002) and NLR (r=0.340, P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis identified triglyceride (TG) (P=0.047) and NLR (P<0.001) as the independent risk factors for T2DM in patients with COPD.

CONCLUSION

The occurrence of T2DM in COPD patients is closely related to NLR level, which may serve as an early predictor for T2DM in these patients.