title: The role of leukocyte counts in patients with unstable angina pectoris or myocardial infarction; prognostic significance and correlation with plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the role of leukocyte count in patients with unstable angina pectoris or myocardial infarction (Acute Coronary Syndrome) its prognostic significance and correlation with plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 143 Patients with unstable angina pectoris, non-ST segment elevation MI and ST segment elevation MI were considered for entry into the study. Plasma BNP levels were measured using a commercial BNP kit (AxSym System BNP Reagent Pack, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA). Leukocyte count was measured on CELL DYNE counter of Abbott Laboratories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of the patients were 58.67 +/- 12.48 years. Mean leukocyte count was 9772 +/- 3006 /cumm. In all 43 (30%) patients had high leukocyte count, and 82 (57%) patients had elevated BNP level. Out of 61 patients with normal BNP level, 49 (80%) had normal leukocyte count and 12 (20%) had elevated leukocyte count. Out of 82 patients with elevated BNP level, 51 (62%) had normal leukocyte count and 31 (38%) had elevated leukocyte count (P = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No statistically significant association was found between Leukocyte count and ACS. Although there is a trend of increased Leukocyte count noted in patients with increase BNP level. This finding necessitates further studies to elucidate its accurate significance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad.
authors.forename: Naveed
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akhtar
authors.forename: Malik Muhammad
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Adil
authors.forename: Waqas
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.lastname: Habib-ur-Rehman
authors.forename: Mumtaz Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Shahs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain