Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in patients with atrial septal aneurysm

Systemic thromboembolism is a serious, major complication in patients with an atrial septal aneurysm (ASA). Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is more common in patients with ASA than in the normal population. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with postoperative AF development in patients who have undergone cardiac surgery. This study investigated NLR in a group of ASA patients compared with a control group of healthy volunteers.

The study group consisted of 40 patients with ASA; the control group consisted of 30 age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched healthy volunteers. All patients and control subjects underwent echocardiographic examination. No patient had a recent history of an acute infection or an inflammatory disease. Baseline NLR was measured by dividing neutrophil count by lymphocyte count.

No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of basic characteristics. Mean NLR was significantly higher among persons with ASA compared with controls (3.4 ± 1.5 vs 1.6 ± 0.97, P < 0.001).

Our results suggest that a higher NLR, an emerging marker of inflammation, has a positive correlation with ASA. The measurement of NLR may be used to indicate an increased risk of arrhythmia, such as AF, in ASA patients.