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. 2007 Nov;154(5):995-1002.
doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2007.06.043.

Preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and outcome from coronary artery bypass grafting

Patrick H Gibson  1 , Bernard L Croal, Brian H Cuthbertson, Gary R Small, Adaeze I Ifezulike, George Gibson, Robert R Jeffrey, Keith G Buchan, Hussein El-Shafei, Graham S Hillis
Affiliations
Free article

Preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and outcome from coronary artery bypass grafting

Patrick H Gibson et al. Am Heart J. 2007 Nov.
Free article

Abstract

Background: An elevated preoperative white blood cell count has been associated with a worse outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Leukocyte subtypes, and particularly the neutrophil-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio, may however, convey superior prognostic information. We hypothesized that the N/L ratio would predict the outcome of patients undergoing surgical revascularization.

Methods: Baseline clinical details were obtained prospectively in 1938 patients undergoing CABG. The differential leukocyte was measured before surgery, and patients were followed-up 3.6 years later. The primary end point was all-cause mortality.

Results: The preoperative N/L ratio was a powerful univariable predictor of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.13 per unit, P < .001). In a backward conditional model, including all study variables, it remained a strong predictor (HR 1.09 per unit, P = .004). In a further model, including the European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation, the N/L ratio remained an independent predictor (HR 1.08 per unit, P = .008). Likewise, it was an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality and predicted death in the subgroup of patients with a normal white blood cell count. This excess hazard was concentrated in patients with an N/L ratio in the upper quartile (>3.36).

Conclusion: An elevated N/L ratio is associated with a poorer survival after CABG. This prognostic utility is independent of other recognized risk factors.

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