Key result
An elevated neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (>2.54) was independently associated with the presence of non-calcified carotid artery plaques in patients with asymptomatic intermediate stenosis (OR 5.686).
Why the study?
Is neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio associated with non-calcified plaque morphology in asymptomatic patients with intermediate carotid artery stenosis?
Observational (n=139)
No
Is neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio associated with non-calcified plaque morphology in asymptomatic patients with intermediate carotid artery stenosis?
Odds Ratio: 5.686 (95% CI 2.498–12.944)
p-value: p=<0.001
Increased neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio is independently associated with the presence of non-calcified, potentially unstable plaques in asymptomatic intermediate carotid artery stenosis.
May flag higher-risk plaque morphology in asymptomatic carotid stenosis; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation before any clinical role.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Non-calcified carotid plaques are more unstable than calcified plaques, and they are associated with a higher risk of rupture, thromboembolism, and consequently, stroke. The purpose of the present study is to compare calcified and non-calcified plaques that cause intermediate carotid artery stenosis with respect to neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total number of 139 asymptomatic patients with 50-70% stenosis of the carotid artery were included in this study. Carotid Doppler ultrasound imaging and computed tomography angiography were performed to divide the carotid artery plaques into two groups as calcified and non-calcified. Patients included in the calcified (n=73) and non-calcified (n=66) plaque groups were compared with respect to total neutrophil count, lymphocyte count and NLR. RESULTS: ]: 2.1/2.3, respectively) (p=0.002). NLR was statistically significantly higher in the non-calcified plaque group compared to the calcified plaque group (NLR in non-calcified/calcified plaque groups: 2.6/2.1, respectively) (p<0.001). The cut-off value for NLR was found to be >2.54. Multivariate regression analysis showed that NLR was independently associated with non-calcified carotid artery plaques (odds ratio 5.686, 95% CI 2.498-12.944, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: NLR is increased in the presence of non-calcified carotid artery plaques that cause asymptomatic intermediate stenosis. Increased NLR can be used as a marker to assess the risk of rupture of non-calcified carotid artery plaques.
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Yüksel et al. (2016) conducted an observational in Asymptomatic intermediate carotid artery stenosis (n=139). Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) > 2.54 vs. NLR ≤ 2.54 was evaluated on Presence of non-calcified carotid artery plaques (OR 5.686, 95% CI 2.498-12.944, p=<0.001). An elevated neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (>2.54) was independently associated with the presence of non-calcified carotid artery plaques in patients with asymptomatic intermediate stenosis (OR 5.686).
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