title: Role of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in assessing the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia and complication following coronary bypass surgery. Besides well-known risk factors, inflammatory parameters have gained popularity assessing the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation. In this study, we aimed to document the relation between neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and postoperative atrial fibrillation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2011 and June 2012, 523 patients on normal sinus rhythm, undergoing elective on-pump coronary bypass operations were prospectively followed up for occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Total and differential white blood cell counts were made immediately before the operation and on postoperative day 2. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was calculated from these measured values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-one (17.4%) patients developed postoperative atrial fibrillation The mean age of the patients maintaining normal sinus rhythm was lower compared to ones with atrial fibrillation (60.76±9.59 vs. 65.44±8.63, P<0.001). Preoperative and postoperative total and differential white blood cell counts did not have any effect on occurrence of atrial fibrillation. There were not statistically significant differences between normal sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation groups when preoperative and postoperative neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios were considered (2.90±2.11 vs. 3.02±2.30, P=0.619; 10.07±21.97 vs. 9.34±6.73, P=0.752, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was not found to be a predictor for new onset atrial fibrillation following coronary bypass surgery.
authors.affiliation: Medicana International Ankara Hospital Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ankara, Turkey - barisdurukan@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Durukan
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Gurbuz
authors.forename: E U
authors.initials: EU
authors.lastname: Unal
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tavlasoglu
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Durukan
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salman
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Ucar
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yorgancioglu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome