Association between Coronary Artery Ectasia and Neutrophil: Lymphocyte Ratio

Abstract

Introduction: Inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis are associated with the aetiopathogenesis of Coronary Artery Ectasia (CAE). The Neutrophil to Lymphocyte (N/L) ratio has emerged as a new inflammation marker for cardiovascular disease. Aim: To assess the association between the CAE and the N/L ratio. Materials and Methods: A total of 179 patients with isolated CAE, Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease (O-CAD) and normal coronaries (controls) were enrolled. Clinical characteristics and pattern of ectatic involvement were seen. N/L ratio values were compared between the three groups using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results: Study findings showed that the patients with isolated CAE had significantly elevated N/L ratio values compared to O-CAD and control groups (2.63±0.36 vs. 2.20±0.27, p<0.001 and vs. 1.93±0.24, p<0.001) respectively. Right Coronary Artery (RCA) was the most commonly involved ectatic artery (64.2%). Single vessel ectasia (44.6%) and Type IV (32.1%) were the most common pattern of involvement. Conclusion: In present study, we found that patients with isolated CAE had a significantly higher WBC count and N/L ratio than patients with O-CAD and control groups. This finding suggests that severe inflammatory process could be involved in the development of CAE as compared to CAD.

Keywords

• atherosclerosis
• coronary artery disease
• inflammation