title: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio predicts graft patency following lower limb revascularisation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Graft failure is a significant problem following lower limb revascularisation. We hypothesised that the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a simple and inexpensive index of systemic inflammation, predicts graft failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients undergoing infra-inguinal bypass grafting were identified from a prospective database. All patients underwent routine graft surveillance using Duplex ultrasound. Potential predictors of graft failure (occlusion or ipsilateral amputation) were assessed in univariate and multivariate regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 126 patients, 79 had patent grafts at 1 year. The only independent predictor of graft failure was the postoperative NLR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Post-operative NLR may be a simple, inexpensive means of focussing surveillance resources on patients at high-risk of graft failure. Its value needs to be confirmed in larger cohorts.
authors.affiliation: Vascular Surgery Department, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, U.K. peterkullar@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kullar
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weerakoddy
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D009504:Neutrophils; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D012372:ROC Curve; D058017:Vascular Grafting; D014654:Vascular Patency / Q000502:physiology