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Leukocyte count is associated with aortic arch plaque thickness
Mitchell S V Elkind1, Robert Sciacca, Bernadette Boden-Albala
1Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, USA. mse13@columbia.edu
Stroke
|November 2, 2002
Summary
Elevated white blood cell count is linked to thicker aortic arch plaque, a risk factor for stroke. This finding supports inflammation
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Atherosclerosis Studies
- Inflammation and Disease
Background:
- Leukocyte count is a known marker for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.
- Previous studies linked white blood cell count to carotid plaque thickness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between white blood cell count and aortic arch plaque thickness (AAPT).
- To determine if leukocyte count predicts the presence of thick aortic arch plaque.
Main Methods:
- Leukocyte count and AAPT were measured in 145 stroke-free community participants.
- Multivariate regression analyses adjusted for atherosclerosis risk factors.
- Aortic arch plaque thickness was dichotomized into <4 mm and >=4 mm (thick plaque).
Main Results:
- Each unit increase in leukocyte count correlated with increased AAPT (0.24 mm, P=0.0064) after adjustments.
- Higher leukocyte counts were observed in participants with thick plaque (>=4 mm).
- Increased leukocyte count was associated with a higher risk of thick plaque (adjusted OR, 1.38).
Conclusions:
- Leukocyte count is significantly associated with aortic arch plaque thickness.
- Elevated white blood cell count is a predictor of thick aortic arch plaque, a marker for stroke risk.
- Findings support inflammatory or infectious theories of atherosclerosis and stroke.