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

The early predictive value of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio to hemorrhagic transformation of young acute ischemic stroke

Background

The increasing incidence of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the related factors. Hemorrhagic transformation (HT), a severe complication of AIS, is influenced by platelet-induced inflammation and lymphocyte levels.

Objective

To measure the predictive value of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in the occurrence of HT in young AIS patients.

Methods

Data of young AIS patients (n = 157) admitted to the hospital for the first time were retrospectively collected. The patients were divided into HT (63 patients) and non-HT groups (94 patients) on the basis of whether HT had occurred after admission. The National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score was used to determine the severity of clinical symptoms. The relationship between PLR and HT and NIHSS scores was analyzed to evaluate the predictive value of PLR in the occurrence of HT using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC).

Results

Multivariate analysis showed that PLR and NIHSS are independent risk factors of HT. The PLR value of the observation group was positively associated with the NIHSS score (r = 0.8075, P < 0.0001). According to the PLR prediction about the occurrence of HT, an AUC of 0.713 (95% CI, 0.652-0.781), a cut-off value of 109.073, and a sensitivity and specificity of 0.806 and 0.674, respectively, were obtained.

Conclusions

PLR value can predict the possibility of HT in young AIS patients to a certain extent. To take effective measures to prevent HT in advance has crucial clinical significance according to PLR value.

A high platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to further assess whether the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is independently associated with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.

METHODS

From January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2014, patients undergoing regular hemodialysis in the Blood Purification Center of the General Hospital of Northern Theatre Command were retrospectively selected. A total of 303 MHD patients were enrolled in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. For each patient, the endpoint of follow-up was either death or December 31, 2021. The primary endpoints were all-cause and cardiovascular death. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to detect the predictive ability of PLR, and the optimal critical value of PLR was determined to be 107.57. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional analysis were used to assess the prognostic value of PLR. We used the same method to evaluate the correlation between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the prognosis of MHD patients.

RESULTS

At the end of follow-up, 128 MHD patients had progressed to all-cause death, and 73 MHD patients had progressed to cardiovascular death. In multivariate Cox regression, both the high PLR group and the high NLR group were independently associated with all-cause mortality (HR 2.608, 95% CI 1.579-4.306, p < .001 vs. HR 1.634, 95% CI 1.023-2.610, p = .04). Only high PLR expression was associated with cardiovascular mortality (HR 3.379, 95% CI 1.646-6.936, p = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

High PLR levels can independently predict all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in MHD patients.

Prognostic Value of Multiple Complete Blood Count-Derived Indices in Intermediate Coronary Lesions

Complete blood count (CBC)-derived indices have been proposed as reliable inflammatory biomarkers to predict outcomes in the context of coronary artery disease. These indices have yet to be thoroughly validated in patients with intermediate coronary stenosis. Our study included 1527 patients only with intermediate coronary stenosis. The examined variables were neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived NLR, monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune inflammation index (SII), system inflammation response index (SIRI), and aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI). The primary endpoint was the composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and unplanned revascularization. Over a follow-up of 6.11 (5.73-6.55) years, MACEs occurred in 189 patients. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis showed that SIRI outperformed other indices with the most significant area under the curve. In the multivariable analysis, SIRI (hazard ratio [HR] 1.588, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.138-2.212) and AISI (HR 1.673, 95% CI 1.217-2.300) were the most important prognostic factors among all the indices. The discrimination ability of each index was strengthened in patients with less burden of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. SIRI also exhibited the best incremental value beyond the traditional cardiovascular risk model.

Akromegali Hastalarında Hematolojik İndekslerin Değerlendirilmesi

Acromegaly is a chronic systemic disease characterized by autonomous and excessive secretion of growth hormone (GH). Acromegaly is most commonly caused by ais a somatotroph adenoma of the anterior pituitary. In acromegaly, mortality primarily results from are cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, respiratory diseases and malignancies. Monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), red cell distribution width (RDW), platelet distribution width (PDW) and delta neutrophil index (DNI) are popular inflammatory markers. This study's purpose was to assess pre/post-treatment levels of NLR, GH, RDW, MLR, PDW and DNI in acromegalic patients and to investigate the impact of acromegaly treatment on these markers.

Elevated systemic immune inflammation level increases the risk of total and cause-specific mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease: a large multi-center longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is inherently a complex immune-inflammatory condition, and heightened inflammation and immune dysfunction are closely related to an increased risk of death. However, evidence regarding the relationship between immune-inflammatory levels and all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality among patients with CKD is scarce.

METHODS

Patients with non-dialysis dependent CKD undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) were included from five Chinese tertiary hospitals. Systemic immune inflammation index (SII) was calculated by multiplying peripheral platelet count with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and patients were categorized into four groups by SII quartiles. Cox regression models and competing risk Fine and Gray models were used to examining the relationships between SII levels and all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality.

RESULTS

A total of the 19,327 patients (68.8 ± 10.03 years, female 32.0%) were included in this study. During a median follow-up of 4.5 years, 5,174 deaths occurred, including 2,861 cardiovascular deaths and 375 cancer deaths. Controlling for confounders, all-cause mortality (Q2, Q3, Q4: hazard ratio(HR) [95 CI%] = 1.15 [1.06-1.26], 1.30 [1.19-1.42], 1.48 [1.35-1.62], respectively; p for trend < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (Q2, Q3, Q4: HR [95 CI%] = 1.16 [1.03-1.31], 1.40 [1.24-1.58], 1.64 [1.44-1.85], respectively; p for trend < 0.001) increased with higher SII levels, and SII levels was related to cancer mortality comparing last quartile to first quartile of SII (Q2, Q3, Q4: HR [95 CI%] = 1.12 [0.83-1.52], 1.22 [0.90-1.67], 1.50 [1.09-2.08], respectively; p for trend < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Elevated immune inflammation level on admission was an independent risk factor for all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality among CKD patients. Further research is needed to validate the predictive value of SII for mortality risk among CKD patients.

Unique crosstalk between platelet and leukocyte counts during treatment for acute coronary syndrome: A retrospective observational study

In the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), platelet (PLT) and neutrophil (Neu) crosstalk may be important for activating coagulation and inflammation. It has been speculated that PLTs and Neu may affect each other's cell counts; however, few studies have investigated this hypothesis. In this study, we measured changes in blood cell counts in 245 patients with ACS during treatment and investigated the mutual effects of each blood cell type. Path diagrams were drawn using structural equation modeling, and temporal changes in the count of each blood cell type and the relevance of these changes were analyzed. Throughout the treatment period, the numbers of all blood cell types (red blood cells [RBCs], leukocytes, and PLTs) were associated with each other before and after treatment. A detailed examination of the different cell types revealed that the PLT count at admission had a significant positive effect on the leukocyte (especially Neu) count after treatment. Conversely, the leukocyte (especially Neu) count at admission had a significant positive effect on the PLT count after treatment. During ACS, PLTs and leukocytes, especially Neu, stimulate each other to increase their numbers. The formation of a PLT-leukocyte complex may increase coagulation activity and inflammation, which can lead to a further increase in the counts of both blood cell types.

The Association Between Hematologic Indices With TIMI Flow In STEMI Patients Who Undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

The Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI) is the preferred therapeutic strategy for patients who experienced ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI).

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate the association of hematological indices, including hemoglobin level, platelets, White Blood Cells (WBCs) count, and MPV before PPCI with the TIMI grade flow after PPCI.

METHODS

STEMI patients who experienced PPCI were included in the present retrospective crosssectional study. Then participants were divided into three groups based on their post-procedural TIMI flow grades. Demographic data and hematologic indices of patients before PPCI were collected and their association with the TIMI grade flow after PPCI was evaluated. To compare the quantitative and qualitative variables, chi-square and t-tests were performed, respectively.

RESULTS

We found that elevated levels of hemoglobin and decreased levels of MPV had a significant association with an advanced grade of TIMI flow. Interestingly, in the normal range, there was a significant association between higher platelet count and TIMI-flow grade 1. Besides, TIMI flow grades 2 and 3 had a significant association with low and moderate platelets count, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, evaluating MPV, platelets, and hemoglobin levels before PPCI as easy and accessible parameters may be able to identify high-risk STEMI patients undergoing PPCI.

Ticagrelor improves systemic immune-inflammation index in acute coronary syndrome patients

OBJECTIVE

Inflammation plays a critical role in atherosclerosis. This study examines the effects of ticagrelor and clopidogrel on inflammatory parameters, obtained from complete blood count (CBC) and biochemical measurements, in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

METHODS AND RESULTS

One hundred acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients were included in the study and grouped according to clopidogrel (n = 50) or ticagrelor (n = 50) usage as an anti-aggregant (with acetylsalicylic acid). All patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. On admission, at third- and sixth-month after ACS, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) were calculated from the CBC and biochemical measurements. NLR, PLR, and SII were significantly lower in the ticagrelor group (p < 0.001, at 3rd and 6th month). Also, MHR was lower in the ticagrelor group (p < 0.05). Conversely, WBC count was higher in the ticagrelor group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

NLR, MHR, PLR, and SII levels were lower in ACS patients treating with ticagrelor. Ticagrelor may improve these inflammatory parameters in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-treated ACS patients compared to clopidogrel.

The Link between SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Inflammation and Hypercoagulability-Impact of Hemorheologic Alterations on Cardiovascular Mortality

The link between severe forms of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and cardiovascular diseases has been well documented by various studies that indicated a higher risk of cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 patients, in parallel with a higher risk of mortality in COVID-19 patients with underlying cardiovascular diseases. It seems that inflammation, which is a major pathophysiological substrate for both acute myocardial infarction and severe forms of COVID-19, may play a pivotal role in the interrelation between these two critical conditions, and hypercoagulability associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection could be responsible for acute cardiovascular complications. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) proved to be independent predictors for prognosis in acute coronary syndromes and systemic inflammatory diseases; therefore, they may be used as independent prognostic markers of disease severity in COVID-19 infection. The aim of this review is to present the most recent advances in understanding the complex link between SARS-CoV-2 infection, inflammation and alteration of blood coagulability and hemorheology, leading to major cardiovascular events.

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.

Hematological Biomarkers, Mortality, Transfusion and Acute Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

Patients hospitalized with acute heart disease [acute myocardial infarction (MI); heart disease exacerbation] may require red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. These patients are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Hematological biomarkers may help to identify increased mortality risk. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between hematological biomarkers and survival in these patients.

METHODS

A historical cohort study of all patients admitted to an internal medicine department, who were diagnosed with acute heart disease and requiring RBC transfusion, was carried out in a tertiary medical center between 2009-2014. The association between hematological biomarkers and 30-, 90-day and 5-year mortality was studied.

RESULTS

A total of 254 patients (median age 80 years, IQR 74-86.25; 40.9% females; acute MI 24.8%), were included. During the 5-year follow-up 212(83.5%) patients died. In a multivariate analysis the lower platelet to neutrophil ratio (PNR) was significantly associated with increased 30-, 90-day and 5-year mortality (p<0.001, 0.041, 0.003 respectively). A higher red cell distribution width (RDW) was significantly associated with 30- and 90-day mortality (p=0.003, 0.023 respectively), while higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was associated with increased 30-day and 5-year mortality (p= 0.036, 0.033 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Hematological biomarkers may help to identify increased mortality risk of acute heart disease patients, receiving RBC transfusions in an internal medicine department.

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.

Relationship between White Blood Count to Mean Platelet Volume Ratio and Clinical Outcomes and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background

The white blood cell count to mean platelet volume ratio (WMR) is an indicator of inflammation in patients with atherosclerotic disease. Residual SYNTAX Score (RSS) is an objective measure of degree and complexity of residual stenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We investigated the relationship between WMR and clinical prognosis and RSS in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (P-PCI).

Method

Between June 2015 and December 2018, 537 patients who underwent primary PCI were evaluated for in-hospital events, and 477 patients were evaluated for clinical events during follow-up after discharge. The endpoint of our study is major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) seen in the in-hospital and follow-up periods.

Results

In our study, 537 patients were stratified into two groups according to admission median WMR. There were 268 patients in the low WMR group (WMR < 1286) and 269 patients in the high WMR group (WMR ≥ 1286). RSS (p = 0.01) value of the high WMR group was higher than that of the low WMR group. The rates of in-hospital MACE (p = 0.001), cardiac death (p < 0.001), decompansated heart failure (0.007), and ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (p = 0.003) were higher in the high WMR group than in the low WMR group. The follow-up MACEs (p = 0.043), cardiac death (p = 0.026), and reinfarction (p = 0.031) ratio were higher in the high WMR group. In ROC analysis, cut-off values of in-hospital and follow-up MACEs were >1064 (sensitivity: 83.12%, and specificity: 36.29%) and >1130 (sensitivity: 69.15%, and specificity: 44.91%), respectively. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the high WMR group had the significantly lowest MACE-free survival rate (log-rank test, p = 0.006). A moderate correlation was observed between WMR and RSS (r: 456, p = 0.002).

Conclusion

A higher WMR value on admission was associated with worse outcomes in patients with P-PCI and independently predicted for follow-up MACEs. The WMR provides both a rapid and an easily obtainable parameter to identify reliably high-risk patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention due to STEMI.

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.

Association between neutrophil-lymphocyte & platelet lymphocyte ratios with prognosis & mortality in rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis

Background & objectives:

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is a clinical syndrome manifested by features of nephritic syndrome and progressive loss of renal function over a short time. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and prognostic factors and pathological findings of renal biopsy in RPGN.

Methods:

Consecutive newly diagnosed RPGN patients who had follow up for at least six months were retrospectively analyzed. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated. Albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and CRP/albumin ratio were also calculated.

Results:

Fifty four patients were included in the study. The mean age was 48.92±20.12 years. Clinicopathological diagnosis was pauci-immune glomerulonephritis (GN) in 40 while two had postinfectious GN, six systemic lupus erythematosus, three IgA nephropathy, two Henoch-Schönlein purpura and one membranoproliferative GN. The mean NLR was 7.02±6.34 and mean PLR was 273.90±39.15. Positive correlations between NLR and CRP levels (P=0.009, r=0.511) and CRP/albumin ratios (P=0.005, r=0.542) were observed. PLR and CRP/albumin ratios (P=0.041, r=0.412) were correlated positively. The per cent of fibrocellular crescents was negatively correlated with NLR (P=0.019, r=−0.291), and positively correlated with the lymphocyte count (P=0.05, r=0.256). In secondary crescentic subgroup, the per cent of fibrinoid necrosis had a positive correlation with PLR (P=0.013, r=0.642). Both NLR (P=0.036) and PLR (P=0.051) detected at the first month of the treatment period, were observed to be significantly correlated with mortality.

Interpretation & conclusions:

This study showed that NLR could predict mortality in patients with RPGN; correlated with systemic inflammation; showed a negative correlation with the per cent of fibrocellular crescents and could be regarded as a measure of glomerular inflammatory state. Moreover, PLR may be considered to be an indicator of disease severity in acute phase of crescentic GN.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in retinal vein occlusion

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the development of retinal vein occlusion.

METHODS

One hundred and eleven patients and 88 control subjects were enrolled. Retinal vein occlusion diagnosis was clinically made with fundus examination. NLR and PLR values were compared between groups.

RESULTS

Neutrophil levels were found to be comparable between the two groups (p = 0.47). Lymphocyte levels were lower in retinal vein occlusion patients (p = 0.001). NLR was significantly higher in retinal vein occlusion patients (p = 0.001). Platelet counts were found to be comparable in the two groups (p = 0.75). PLR was significantly higher in retinal vein occlusion patients (p = 0.001). According to the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the optimal cut-off values of NLR and PLR to predict retinal vein occlusion were > 1.63 and > 98.50, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed that higher NLR and PLR were associated with the development of retinal vein occlusion. Also, NLR and PLR may be used as predictive tools for identifying risk for retinal vein occlusion.

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.

Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review

The platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is an integrated reflection of 2 opposite thrombotic/inflammatory pathways that are easily calculated from a complete blood count. The PLR initially served as a systemic inflammatory biomarker to predict the prognosis of neoplastic diseases. In recent years, the PLR has been used as a prognostic marker in cardiovascular (CV) conditions. In this review, we consider the evidence regarding the association of the PLR with CV disease (CVD) and its possible use as a prognostic marker of CVD. The role of PLR has been investigated in CV conditions in several studies. We assessed clinical trials using PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science (up to April 18, 2018) to evaluate the association between PLR and mortality/major adverse cardiac events in these conditions. Most of these studies reported significant relationships between a high PLR and diverse outcomes. In conclusion, we suggest that PLR is a cheap and easily available systemic inflammatory marker that can predict distinct outcomes in different types of CVD.

Are Pre and Postoperative Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio Associated with Early Postoperative AKI Following CABG?

Objective

In this study, we investigated the role of two of the recent biomarkers of inflammation on the development of acute kidney injury in the early postoperative period of isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods

Three hundred and eleven patients, who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass by the same surgery team in our clinic between May 2010 and October 2014, who had a preoperative serum creatinine level lower than 1.5 mg/dl were included in the study. These patients' records were reviewed retrospectively. The diagnosis of acute kidney injury was performed according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes 2012 Acute Kidney Injury Guideline criteria. Patients who developed acute kidney injury in the early postoperative period were classified as Group-1 (n=62) and the patients with normal postoperative renal functions were classified as Group-2 (n=249). The demographic data, body mass index, comorbidities, hematologic/biochemical profiles, preoperative ejection fraction, blood transfusion history, and operative data of the groups were compared. Univariate analyses were performed to determine significant clinical factors, and multiple logistic regression analyses were subsequently done to determine independent predictors of acute kidney injury.

Results

Sixty-two (19.9%) patients developed acute kidney injury during the first 72 hours postoperatively. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed preoperative increased creatinine (P=0.0001), C-reactive protein (P=0.02), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (P=0.04) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (P=0.002); increased postoperative first day leukocyte count (P=0.03), C-reactive protein levels (P=0.02), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (P=0.002), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (P=0.01) and increased intubation time (P=0.006) as independent predictors of early postoperative acute kidney injury in patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

Conclusion

The preoperative and postoperative increased levels of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio which can be calculated by simple methods from routine blood analysis showed us that these parameters are independent biomarkers directly related to development of acute kidney injury in the early postoperative period.

Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio on Admission and Prognosis in Patients with Acute Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema

BACKGROUND

Acute heart failure is a heterogenous syndrome defined by a number of factors, such as its physiopathology, clinical picture, time of onset, and relation to acute coronary syndrome. Acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ACPE) constitutes approximately 10-20% of acute heart failure syndromes, and it is the most dramatic symptom of left heart failure. Platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a relatively novel inflammatory marker that can be utilized for prognosis in various disease processes.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigated the value of the PLR for the prediction of mortality in patients with ACPE.

METHODS

A total of 115 patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of ACPE were included in this study. The patients were divided into tertile groups according to their PLR values: high (PLR > 194.97), medium (98.3-194.97), and low tertile (PLR < 98.3).

RESULTS

We compared the PLR groups for in-hospital mortality and total mortality after discharge. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that PLR was independently associated with total mortality (hazard ratio 5.657; 95% confidence interval 2.467-12.969; p < 0.001). Survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the high-PLR group had a significantly higher mortality rate than the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed an association between high PLR and mortality in patients with ACPE. PLR, together with other inflammatory markers and clinical findings, may be used as an adjunctive parameter for the stratification of mortality risk, hospitalization, or discharge criteria scoring.

Diabetes mellitus: A review of some of the prognostic markers of response to treatment and management

Background: The WHO defined ‘diabetes mellitus’ (DM) as a metabolic disorder characterised by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from the defect in insulin secretion, or inaction, or both. When not identified early and controlled, acute and chronic life-threatening consequences may result. Identifying DM early for treatment and management, as well as clinically monitoring recovery and improvement during treatment, involves the assessments of biomarkers. The types, choice, sensitivity and descriptive information trends of these biomarkers are very important. Aim: Some prognostic biomarkers and parameters that this review identified include glycated haemoglobin, white blood cells, mean neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, total leukocytes and neutrophils, plasma low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and very low-density lipoprotein, platelet, fibrinogen, D-dimer and C-reactive proteins. Results: These parameters display increases in DM, while red blood cell, haemoglobin concentration, activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time are decreased. Conclusion: With sound knowledge of the variations of these markers and parameters, observed reversal during treatment and management of DM and its complications can be better monitored, and guided decisions can be made.

Novel Mortality Markers for Critically Ill Patients

AIM

Inflammatory markers, such as the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), derived from a complete blood count have recently attracted attention as potential markers of morbidity and mortality in various diseases. The aim of the present study was to assess the usefulness of the NLR and PLR as markers of hospital stay and mortality of patients in intensive care units (ICUs).

METHODS

Patients treated in the ICU of our institution between October 2016 and August 2017 were enrolled in the study. After obtaining approval from the institutional committee, patient data were sourced from the institution's computerized database and retrospectively analyzed. The patients were assigned to 2 groups according to the outcomes: survivors and deceased.

RESULTS

The NLR of survivors and deceased patients was 2.06 (1.18-21.68) and 10.42 (2.85-48.2), respectively. The NLR was significantly elevated in deceased patients as compared with that of survivors (P < .001). Similarly, the median PLR of patients in the deceased group (268.9 [150-3000]) was significantly higher than that of patients in the survivor group (55.7 [11.8-152.5]). The difference in the PLR between groups was significant (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Both the NLR and PLR, as well as C-reactive protein, predicted mortality in this critically ill population. The PLR and NLR are easy-to-measure, inexpensive markers. Physicians should be aware of elevations in PLR and NLR in patient care in ICUs.

High preoperative monocyte count/high-density lipoprotein ratio is associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation and mortality in coronary artery bypass grafting

Objectives

The monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio has recently emerged as an indicator of inflammation and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio with postoperative atrial fibrillation and mortality in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods

Six hundred and sixty-two patients who were in sinus rhythm preoperatively and who had isolated coronary artery bypass grafting were retrospectively included in the study. Patients who had atrial fibrillation in the early postoperative period were enrolled in group 1 ( n  = 153); patients who remained in sinus rhythm in the early postoperative period were included in group 2 ( n  = 509). The clinical and demographic data of the patients, biochemical and complete blood count parameters, preoperative monocyte count/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and operative and postoperative data were recorded.

Results

Preoperative monocyte counts ( P  = 0.0001), monocyte count/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio ( P = 0.0001) and C-reactive protein levels ( P  = 0.0001) were significantly increased in group 1. In the first month, 8 patients in group 1 (5.2%) and 5 patients in group 2 (1.0%) died, which was statistically significant ( P  = 0.003). In univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, an elevated preoperative monocyte count/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio ( P  = 0.03) and C-reactive protein levels ( P  = 0.0001) were predictors of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Preoperative monocyte counts ( P  = 0.001), monocyte count/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio ( P  = 0.0001) and the use of inotropic support ( P  = 0.0001) were also predictors of mortality in the early postoperative period.

Conclusions

We have observed that high preoperative monocyte count/ high-density lipoprotein ratio was associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation and mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting operation.

Platelet to lymphocyte ratio in the prediction of adverse outcomes after acute coronary syndrome: a meta-analysis

Recent studies have shown platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) to be a potential inflammatory marker in cardiovascular diseases. We performed a meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the prognostic role of PLR in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A comprehensive literature search up to May 18, 2016 was conducted from PUBMED, EMBASE and Web of science to identify related studies. The risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was extracted or calculated for effect estimates. Totally ten studies involving 8932 patients diagnosed with ACS were included in our research. We demonstrated that patients with higher PLR level had significantly higher risk of in-hospital adverse outcomes (RR = 2.24, 95%CI = 1.81–2.77) and long-term adverse outcomes (RR = 2.32, 95%CI = 1.64–3.28). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of our results. We didn’t detect significant publication bias by Begg’s and Egger’s test (p > 0.05). In conclusion, our meta-analysis revealed that PLR is promising biomarker in predicting worse prognosis in ACS patients. The results should be validated by future large-scale, standard investigations.

High neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is associated with increased carotid artery intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetes

Aims/Introduction

Emerging evidence suggests that the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a novel potential marker of inflammatory responses. The objective was to evaluate the association between NLR and carotid artery intima‐media thickness (cIMT) in type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

We carried out a case–control study involving 320 patients with type 2 diabetes, and 250 age‐, sex‐ and body mass index‐matched healthy controls who all underwent carotid ultrasonography and took a blood examination. We divided the diabetes patients into two groups according to cIMT: 188 diabetes patients with high cIMT and 132 diabetes patients with low cIMT, and compared baseline characteristics and NLR between the two groups and healthy controls.

Results

The mean NLR was significantly higher in the group of diabetes patients with high cIMT than the group of diabetes patients with low cIMT, who in turn showed a significantly higher NLR compared with control participants. Logistic regression analysis showed that the NLR was an independent risk factor for diabetes patients with high cIMT (odds ratio 140.89, 95% CI 1.71–11615.30, P = 0.028). Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve, use of the NLR as an indicator for diabetes patients with high cIMT diagnosis was projected to be 3.16, and yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 36.2% and 93.2%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.606 (95% CI 0.544–0.667).

Conclusions

High NLR might be a potential biomarker for the increased cIMT in type 2 diabetes patients. Future studies are required to validate our findings.

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts mortality better than neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in hemodialysis patients

PURPOSE

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were established showing the poor prognosis in some diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and malignancies. The risk of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was higher than normal population. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between NLR, PLR, and all-cause mortality in prevalent hemodialysis (HD) patients.

METHODS

Eighty patients were enrolled in study. NLR and PLR obtained by dividing absolute neutrophil to absolute lymphocyte count and absolute platelet count to absolute lymphocyte count, respectively. The patients were followed prospectively for 24 months. The primary end point was all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

Mean levels of neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet were 3904 ± 1543/mm(3), 1442 ± 494/mm(3), 174 ± 56 × 10(3)/mm(3), respectively. Twenty-one patients died before the follow-up at 24 months. Median NLR and PLR were 2.52 and 130.4, respectively. All-cause mortality was higher in patients with high NLR group compared to the patients with low NLR group (18.8 vs. 7.5 %, p = 0.031) and in patients with higher PLR group compared to patients with lower PLR group (18.8 vs. 7.5 %, p = 0.022). Following adjusted Cox regression analysis, the association of mortality and high NLR was lost (p = 0.54), but the significance of the association of high PLR and mortality increased (p = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

Although both NLR and PLR were associated with all-cause mortality in prevalent HD patients, only PLR could independently predict all-cause mortality in these populations.

Relationship between platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and the presence and severity of coronary artery ectasia

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), an easily available inflammatory marker, and coronary artery ectasia (CAE).

Methods:

After applying the exclusion criteria, the retrospective study population consisted of 330 patients, including 110 patients with isolated CAE, 110 with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), and 110 with normal coronary artery angiograms (NCA). The severity of isolated CAE was determined according to the Markis classification. SPSS 22.0 statistical package program was used for data analysis.

Results:

PLR was significantly higher in patients with isolated CAE than in those with NCA and obstructive CAD [123 (113–156), 100 (86–138), and 110 (102–141), respectively]. Logistic regression analysis showed that PLR and C-reactive protein level were significantly correlated with the severity of isolated CAE.

Conclusion:

To the best of our knowledge, this study showed for the first time that PLR was significantly associated with CAE.

Monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio as a new prognostic marker in patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Monocyte count to high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) has recently emerged as an indicator of inflammation and oxidative stress in the literature. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of MHR in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

A total of 513 patients who were hospitalized with diagnosis of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and treated with primary PCI were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Demographic and clinical data, admission laboratory parameters, and MHR values were recorded. Inhospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and mortality were reported as the clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients (5%) died, and MACE was observed in 86 patients (17%) during hospital follow-up. Patients were categorized in 3 groups according to tertiles of admission MHR. The rates of inhospital mortality and MACE were significantly higher in tertile 3 group compared to tertile 1 group (10% vs 1%, 27% vs 11%; P < .01 and P < .01). In multivariate regression analysis, age, sex, presence of Killip 3 or 4, left ventricular ejection fraction, troponin I, C-reactive protein, and increased MHR levels (odds ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.05; P < .01) independently predicted inhospital mortality; age, presence of Killip 3 or 4, troponin I, and increased MHR levels (odds ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.04; P < .01) independently predicted MACE.

CONCLUSION

Admission MHR values were found to be independently correlated with inhospital MACE and mortality after primary PCI.

Association between platelet to lymphocyte ratio and saphenous vein graft disease in patients with stable angina pectoris

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to investigate the relation of platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in saphenous vein graft disease (SVGD) in patients with stable angina pectoris after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

METHODS

A total of 455 patients were included in the study. There were 210 patients with SVGD and 245 patients without SVGD. The effects of different variables on SVGD were computed in logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The platelet count, lymphocyte count, PLR, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), Na, and ALT were significantly associated with SVGD. In multivariate regression analysis, HDL and PLR were found to be significantly associated with SVGD.

CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing the significant association of PLR with SVGD. This study suggests that PLR can be used as a marker of SVGD because it is an easily available and inexpensive test.

Use of the Monocyte-to-Lymphocyte Ratio to Predict Diabetic Retinopathy

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the leading cause of blindness in adults. DR pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated, but inflammation is widely accepted to play an important role. Emerging evidence suggests that the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are novel potential markers of inflammatory responses. The present study aimed to evaluate the associations between DR and the PLR, MLR, and NLR. Patients and Methods: We performed a case-control study involving 247 patients with T2DM. The patients were divided into three groups: 125 control subjects with T2DM, 63 diabetic subjects with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), and 59 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Results: The mean PLR and NLR were significantly higher in patients with DR compared with patients without DR (p < 0.01, p = 0.02, respectively). The mean MLR in the NPDR group was higher than that of patients without DR, but there were no significant differences among the three groups (p = 0.07). Logistic regression showed that the MLR was an independent risk factor for DR (odds ratio [OR]: 54.574, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.708–1099.907). Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, use of the MLR as an indicator for DR diagnosis was projected to be 2.25, and yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 47.1% and 69.6%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.581 (95% CI: 0.510–0.653). Conclusions: The PLR and NLR are significantly increased in the setting of DR. After correcting for possible confounding factors, the MLR was found to be a risk factor for DR. Although the MLR may be pathophysiologically and clinically relevant in DR, its predictive ability was limited.

Association of high density lipoprotein with platelet to lymphocyte and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios in coronary artery disease patients

Background. We aimed to evaluate a relationship between platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Methods. A total of 354 patients with angiographically confirmed coronary blockages were enrolled in the study. Hematological indices and lipid profiling data of all the patients were collected. Results. We have observed significant association between HDL and PLR (P = 0.008) and NLR (P = 0.009); however no significant relationship was obtained with HDL and isolated platelet (P = 0.488), neutrophil (P = 0.407), and lymphocyte (P = 0.952) counts in CAD patients. The association was subjected to gender specific variation as in males PLR (P = 0.024) and NLR (P = 0.03) were highly elevated in low HDL patients, whereas in females the elevation could not reach the statistically significant level. The PLR (217.47 versus 190.3; P = 0.01) and NLR (6.33 versus 5.10; P = 0.01) were significantly higher among the patients with acute coronary syndrome. In young patients the PLR (P = 0.007) and NLR (P = 0.001) were inversely associated with HDL, whereas in older population only NLR (P = 0.05) had showed a significant association. Conclusion. We conclude that PLR and NLR are significantly elevated in CAD patients having low HDL levels.