Retrospective evaluation of hematological parameters for the differentiation between non-st elevation myocardial infarction and unstable angina

Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the utility of hematological parameters associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the differentiation of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) from unstable angina (UA). Material and Methods: The retrospective study included patients aged over 18 years who presented to the emergency department with a prediagnosis of ACS and were diagnosed with NSTEMI and UA between January 1, 2014 and February 28, 2018. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, including age, gender, and white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), red cell distribution width (RDW), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were recorded for each patient. Results: The study included a total of 1005 patients (749 NSTEMI and 256 UA). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the mean WBC level was 1.375(1.258-1.503) times and the mean NLR was 3.631(range, 2.864-4.602) times higher in the NSTEMI group compared to the UA group(p<0.001). In the ROC analysis, the cutoff value of NLR for the differentiationof NSTEMI from UA was 2.237, with a sensitivity of 84.1% and a specificity of 81.6%. Discussion: WBC and NLR values can be used as inflammatory markers in the differentiation of NSTEMI from UA.