title: Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio is related to the severity of coronary artery disease and clinical outcome in patients undergoing angiography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  White blood cell count is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a biomarker that can single out individuals at risk for vascular events.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether NLR adds additional information beyond that provided by conventional risk factors and biomarkers for coronary artery disease (CAD) severity and adverse outcome, in a large cohort of consecutive patients referred for coronary angiography.
  
  
  METHODS
  NLR was computed from the absolute values of neutrophils and lymphocytes from the complete blood count of 3005 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography for various indications. CAD severity was determined by an interventional cardiologist unaware of the study aims. The association between NLR and CAD severity was assessed by logistic regression and the association between NLR and 3-years outcome were analyzed using Cox regression models, adjusting for potential clinical, metabolic, and inflammatory confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cohort was divided into 3 groups according to the NLR value (<2, 2-3, and >3). NLR was independently associated with CAD severity and it contributed significantly to the regression models. Patients with NLR >3 had more advanced obstructive CAD (OR = 2.45, CI 95% 1.76-3.42, p < 0.001) and worse prognosis, with a higher rate of major CVD events during up to 3 years of follow-up (HR = 1.55, CI 95% 1.09-2.2, p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio is independently associated with CAD severity and 3-years outcome. NLR value appears additive to conventional risk factors and commonly used biomarkers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Yaron
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Arbel
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Finkelstein
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Halkin
authors.forename: Edo Y
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Birati
authors.forename: Miri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Revivo
authors.forename: Meital
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zuzut
authors.forename: Ayala
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shevach
authors.forename: Shlomo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berliner
authors.forename: Itzhak
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Herz
authors.forename: Gad
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Keren
authors.forename: Shmuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Banai
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000209:etiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D016015:Logistic Models; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology; D009504:Neutrophils; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers