Abstract
Background
Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with poor outcomes in patients
with cardiovascular diseases. However, little is known about the role of NLR in patients
with thromboembolic stroke due to atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to compare the
NLR ratios between non-valvular AF patients with or without thromboembolic stroke.
Methods
A total of 126 non-valvular AF patients with or without stroke were included in the
study; 126 consecutive patients (52 males and 74 females), mean age, 70±10.2 years old. No patient had a recent history of an acute infection or an inflammatory
disease. Baseline NLR was measured by dividing neutrophil count to lymphocyte count.
WBC count>12.000 cells per μL or <4.000 cells per μL and high body temperature>38 º are excluded from the study.
Results
Mean NLR was significantly higher among persons with stroke compared to individuals
without a stroke (5.6±3.4 vs. 3.1±2.1, p=0.001). There were no significant differences in RDW levels between the two groups
(p>0.05). HAS-BLED and CHADS2 scores were significantly higher in the stroke group.
Conclusion
Higher NLR, an emerging marker of inflammation, is associated with thromboembolic
stroke in non-valvular AF patients.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 18, 2012
Accepted:
September 27,
2012
Received in revised form:
September 24,
2012
Received:
August 7,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
