Correlation Between Red Cell Distribution Width and Peripheral Vascular Disease Severity and Complexity

Area of Science:

• Vascular Medicine
• Hematology
• Diagnostic Biomarkers

Background:

• Red cell distribution width (RDW) is an established hematological marker.
• Emerging evidence suggests RDW as a potential biomarker for atherosclerotic vascular diseases.
• Limited studies have explored RDW's prognostic value in peripheral vascular disease (PVD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between RDW levels and the severity and complexity of PVD.
• To assess RDW as an independent predictor of PVD presence and severity.
• To evaluate RDW in angiographically classified PVD using the Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC II) classification.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 118 patients undergoing peripheral lower extremity angiography.
• RDW levels measured via automated complete blood count.
• PVD severity and complexity categorized using TASC II classification (A-B for simple, C-D for complex).

Main Results:

• RDW levels showed a significant correlation with PVD presence and TASC II grades (p:0.02).
• Patients with RDW ≥14.1 (fourth quartile) exhibited a stronger correlation with PVD presence and severity (p:0.001).
• Elevated RDW independently predicted PVD presence and complex TASC II C-D lesions (OR:2.26, p:0.02).

Conclusions:

• Elevated RDW is associated with more prevalent and complex PVD (TASC II C-D lesions).
• RDW serves as an independent predictor for the presence and severity of peripheral vascular disease.
• RDW demonstrates potential as a valuable prognostic biomarker in PVD assessment.