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Increased leucocyte count could predict coronary artery calcification in patients free of clinically apparent

Levent Korkmaz1, Selim Kul, Ayça Ata Korkmaz

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey.

Turk Kardiyoloji Dernegi Arsivi : Turk Kardiyoloji Derneginin Yayin Organidir
|August 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Elevated leucocyte count is linked to coronary artery calcification (CAC) and may indicate subclinical atherosclerosis in individuals without known heart disease. This finding highlights inflammation

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Inflammation Research
  • Diagnostic Biomarkers

Background:

  • Inflammation is implicated in atherosclerosis development.
  • The role of inflammation in coronary artery calcification (CAC) is under investigation.
  • Subclinical atherosclerosis detection in asymptomatic individuals is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between leucocyte count and CAC.
  • To determine if elevated leucocyte count predicts subclinical atherosclerosis.
  • To assess leucocyte count as a potential biomarker for early cardiovascular disease detection.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 284 consecutive patients without established cardiovascular disease.
  • Coronary artery calcification (CAC) assessed using cardiac computed tomography.
  • Leucocyte count measured via routine blood analysis.

Main Results:

  • Patients with CAC exhibited significantly higher leucocyte counts (7.87±1.85) than those without (6.01±1.84; p<0.001).
  • Leucocyte count (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3-2.1), smoking, and age were independent predictors of CAC.
  • A strong positive correlation found between CAC and leucocyte count (r=0.57, p<0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Leucocytes play a significant role in the progression of coronary artery calcification.
  • Leucocyte count can aid in detecting subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic individuals.
  • This study supports leucocyte count as a valuable marker for early cardiovascular risk assessment.
Abstract

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