Key result
Higher neutrophil count linked to ~68% higher ACS odds but lacks standalone diagnostic utility.
Why the study?
Although appropriate diagnostic methods exist for ACS, diagnosis remains challenging and additional markers from CBC may improve diagnostic accuracy.
Do CBC-derived parameters improve the diagnostic discrimination of acute coronary syndrome in emergency department patients with acute chest pain?
Observational (n=360)
No
Do CBC-derived parameters improve the diagnostic discrimination of acute coronary syndrome in emergency department patients with acute chest pain?
Odds Ratio: 1.68 (95% CI 1.42–1.99)
p-value: p=<0.001
CBC-derived parameters like leukocyte and neutrophil counts provide statistically significant but limited incremental diagnostic value beyond standard clinical variables in the early evaluation of acute coronary syndrome.
Neutrophil count may aid ACS discrimination in ED chest pain; leaves open whether CBC parameters add meaningful value beyond clinical assessment.
Background and Aims Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), as one of the cardiovascular diseases, plays a significant role in patient mortality. Although appropriate diagnostic methods have been introduced for ACS, it still remains a challenge for physicians. Therefore, utilizing additional markers and ratios for the diagnosis of ACS can be beneficial. Hence, our study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the diagnostic value of indices and ratios derived from the complete blood count (CBC) test. Methods In this retrospective diagnostic accuracy study, 360 patients presenting with acute chest pain to the emergency department of Allameh Bohlool Hospital were evaluated. Patients were classified into ACS ( n = 167) and Non‐ACS ( n = 193) groups based on the final clinical diagnosis. CBC‐derived parameters, including leukocyte count, neutrophil count, monocyte count, platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), were assessed. Diagnostic performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed to determine independent associations and assess the incremental diagnostic value of CBC‐derived markers beyond clinical variables. Results Patients with ACS had significantly higher leukocyte count, neutrophil count, monocyte count, MPV, NLR, and MLR levels compared with Non‐ACS patients (all p < 0.01). Among individual biomarkers, neutrophil count demonstrated the highest diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.720; 95% CI, 0.668–0.772), followed by leukocyte count (AUC = 0.704; 95% CI, 0.651–0.758) and NLR (AUC = 0.669; 95% CI, 0.613–0.725). After adjustment for clinical variables, leukocyte count (adjusted OR = 1.64; 95% CI, 1.41–1.91; p < 0.001) and neutrophil count (adjusted OR = 1.68; 95% CI, 1.42–1.99; p < 0.001) remained independently associated with ACS. Addition of leukocyte count to the clinical model significantly improved discrimination (AUC increased from 0.787 to 0.850; ΔAUC = 0.063; DeLong p < 0.001). Conclusion In this study, selected CBC‐derived parameters, particularly neutrophil count, leukocyte count, and NLR, showed statistically significant but limited discriminatory ability for ACS. These indices may be considered adjunctive inflammatory markers, but their diagnostic performance is insufficient for use as stand‐alone tests and should be interpreted alongside clinical assessment, ECG, and cardiac troponin testing.
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Ghorbani et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Acute chest pain (suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome) (n=360). Neutrophil count (CBC-derived index) vs. Non-ACS patients was evaluated on Independent association with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.42-1.99, p=<0.001). An elevated neutrophil count was independently associated with acute coronary syndrome (adjusted OR 1.68 per 1×10³/µL increase) and provided the highest discriminatory ability among individual CBC-derived biomarkers.
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