Related Experiment Videos
Which white blood cell subtypes predict increased cardiovascular risk?
Benjamin D Horne1, Jeffrey L Anderson, Jerry M John
1Cardiovascular Department, LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah 84143, USA.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|May 17, 2005
Summary
High neutrophil or low lymphocyte counts, particularly the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, predict cardiovascular death/MI risk in coronary artery disease patients. These leukocyte subtypes offer greater predictive ability than total white blood cell count.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hematology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Elevated white blood cell (WBC) count is linked to cardiovascular risk.
- Specific leukocyte subtypes contributing to this risk remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the predictive power of total WBC count and its subtypes for the risk of death or myocardial infarction (MI).
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 3,227 patients assessed for coronary artery disease (CAD).
- Cox regression analysis evaluated quartile differences in total WBC, neutrophil (N), lymphocyte (L), and monocyte (M) counts, and the N/L ratio for death/MI prediction.
- Analyses adjusted for standard risk factors, presentation, and CAD severity.
Main Results:
- Neutrophils (HR 1.8), low lymphocytes (HR 0.51), and the N/L ratio (HR 2.2) were independent predictors of death/MI.
- The N/L ratio demonstrated the strongest predictive ability.
- Monocytes also showed predictive value (HR 1.3).
Conclusions:
- Total WBC count predicts death/MI in patients with or at high risk for CAD.
- High neutrophil counts and low lymphocyte counts offer enhanced predictive ability.
- The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio provides the greatest risk prediction for death/MI in this population.