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Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty
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Published on: January 28, 2020

Routine hematologic clinical tests as prognostic markers in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Samuel J Turner1, Terry R Ketch, Sanjay K Gandhi

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine/Cardiology, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1045, USA.

American Heart Journal
|April 29, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Routine blood tests can predict outcomes for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. Elevated white blood cells, anemia, and high platelet counts indicate higher risks for mortality and adverse events in ACS.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hematology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Identifying high-risk patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is crucial for effective treatment.
  • Routine hematologic tests, part of a complete blood count, offer valuable prognostic information.
  • Existing research highlights associations between specific blood cell counts and adverse outcomes in ACS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the literature on the prognostic utility of routine hematologic tests in ACS patients.
  • To explore the associations between white blood cell count, hemoglobin/hematocrit, and platelet count with clinical outcomes.
  • To discuss potential biological mechanisms underlying these hematologic associations in ACS.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of existing literature.
  • Analysis of studies correlating complete blood count parameters with ACS prognosis.
  • Synthesis of data on white blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet count.

Main Results:

  • Elevated white blood cell counts in ACS correlate with increased risk of mortality, heart failure, shock, and left ventricular dysfunction.
  • Anemia (low hemoglobin/hematocrit) is linked to a higher risk of mortality in ACS.
  • Elevated platelet counts are associated with poorer clinical and angiographic outcomes in ACS patients.

Conclusions:

  • Complete blood count parameters serve as accessible and valuable prognostic markers in acute coronary syndrome.
  • Hematologic indices like white blood cell count, hemoglobin, and platelet count can aid in risk stratification for ACS.
  • Further research into the mechanistic links between these hematologic markers and ACS pathophysiology is warranted.

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