Higher neutrophil counts and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predict prognostic outcomes in patients after non-atrial fibrillation-caused ischemic stroke

Abstract

Background: We aimed to determine whether higher neutrophil counts (NC) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were independently predictive of worse in-hospital outcome in patients after acute ischemic stroke (IS). Methods: A retrospective observational study with prospective manner of IS registration. Between April 2012 and August 2014, a total number of 1731 patients with post-IS were consecutively enrolled in the study. Blood samples were drawn upon admission. Primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Secondary endpoint was severe stroke (≥16 NIHSS). Results: The NC progressively increased from mild (NIHSS ≤ 5) to moderate (NIHSS ≥ 6 74% had a 2.54-fold increased risk of severe stroke (OR = 1.82–3.54) compared to patients with NC <74%. Conclusion: NLR was independently associated with in-hospital mortality and higher NC was independently predictive of severe stroke.

Keywords

• Acute ischemic stroke
• In-hospital mortality
• Discriminating factor
• Severe stroke
• Tissue plasminogen activator