Higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is related to a lower ejection fraction in bicuspid aortic valve patients

Authors: HACI AHMET KASAPKARA, ABDULLAH NABİ ASLAN, HÜSEYİN AYHAN, MURAT CAN GÜNEY, MURAT AKÇAY, ZEYNEP ŞEYMA TURİNAY, TAHİR DURMAZ, TELAT KELEŞ, ENGİN BOZKURT

Abstract: Background/aim: Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of vascular disease. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the associations of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR; an indicator of inflammation) with left ventricular ejection fraction and ascending aorta diameter in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). Materials and methods: One hundred and thirty-nine consecutive patients with the diagnosis of BAV were enrolled in the study. Complete blood counts were analyzed for neutrophil and lymphocyte levels and NLR. The subjects were separated into two groups based on their ascending aorta diameter. The patients with ascending aorta diameter equal to or above 3.9 cm were included in group 1 whereas those with ascending aorta diameter below 3.9 cm were included in group 2. Results: When the results were compared, it was demonstrated that there was a positive correlation between NLR and ascending aorta diameter (r: 0.485, P = 0.026), whereas there was a negative correlation between NLR and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (r: 0.475, P = 0.030), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (r: 0.482, P = 0.027), and left ventricular ejection fraction (r: ?0.467, P = 0.033) in BAV patients with ascending aorta dilatation (group 1). Conclusion: NLR is associated with ascending aorta diameter and left ventricular ejection fraction in BAV patients with ascending aorta dilatation.

Keywords: Bicuspid aortic valve, ascending aorta dilatation, left ventricular ejection fraction, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio

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