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The association between platelet/lymphocyte ratio and coronary artery disease severity
Murat Yüksel1, Abdulkadir Yıldız, Mustafa Oylumlu
1Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dicle University; Diyarbakır-Turkey. yukselmurat@yahoo.com.
Insights
High platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is associated with severe atherosclerosis in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. This finding suggests PLR can help predict the severity of atherosclerosis, aiding in risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Inflammation Markers
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant cause of mortality worldwide.
- Atherosclerosis severity is a key determinant of CAD prognosis.
- Novel biomarkers are needed to improve atherosclerosis risk stratification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the severity of atherosclerosis in patients with CAD.
- To determine if PLR can serve as a predictor of advanced atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical and laboratory data from 388 patients undergoing coronary angiography.
- Gensini score was used to quantify atherosclerosis severity.
- Comparison of PLR levels across control, mild CAD, and severe CAD groups.
Main Results:
- Mean PLR was significantly higher in severe atherosclerosis patients compared to mild atherosclerosis and control groups (p<0.001).
- PLR showed a positive correlation with Gensini score in CAD patients.
- A PLR cut-off of 111 predicted severe atherosclerosis with 61% sensitivity and 59% specificity.
Conclusions:
- Elevated PLR is associated with increased atherosclerosis severity in CAD.
- High PLR may serve as an independent predictor of severe atherosclerosis, complementing existing risk factors.
Objective:
In this study, we aimed to explore the association between platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the severity of atherosclerosis in coronary artery disease (CAD).
Methods:
Clinical and laboratory data of 388 patients who underwent coronary angiography were evaluated retrospectively. Gensini score, which indicates the severity of atherosclerosis, was calculated for all of the patients. Patients with CAD were categorized as mild and severe atherosclerosis, according to their Gensini score. Eighty patients with normal coronary arteries formed the control group. Mean PLR values of the three study groups were compared. Also, PLR value was tested for whether it showed a positive correlation with Gensini score.
Results:
The mean PLR of the severe atherosclerosis group was significantly higher than that of the mild atherosclerosis and controls groups (p<0.001). Also, PLR was positively correlated with Gensini score in CAD patients. A cut-off value of 111 for PLR predicted severe atherosclerosis with 61% sensitivity and 59% specificity. Pre-procedural PLR level was found to be independently associated with Gensini score, together with WBC, age, and low HDL level, in the multivariate analysis.
Conclusion:
Our study suggests that high PLR appears to be additive to conventional risk factors and commonly used biomarkers in predicting severe atherosclerosis.
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