C-Reactive Protein to Identify Early Risk for Development of Calcific Aortic Stenosis

Aort Kapak Sklerozunun Öngörülmesinde Yeni Hematolojik İnflamatuar Parametrelerin Önemi

Aim: Inflammatory process plays a critical role in the progression of aortic valve sclerosis (AVS). This study aims to evaluate the haematological and biochemical inflammatory markers in AVS patients.Methods: A retrospective observational study was included consecutive 557 patients who underwent an echocardiogram between June 2021 and September 2021. The study population was divided into two groups according to the presence of AVS. The groups were compared in terms of C-reactive protein (CRP), Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-HDL cholesterol ratio (MHR).Results: The mean age was 63 ± 10 years. C-reactive protein (CRP), NLR, PLR and MHR were significantly higher in patients with AVS. The best cut-off values of the NLR were 1.4 (a sensitivity of 84%, a specificity of 74%), PLR was 116 (a sensitivity of 75%, a specificity of 54%), and MHR was 9.5 (a sensitivity of 78%, a specificity of 75%). CRP (OR: 1.246, 95% CI: 1.117 – 1.389; p < 0.001), NLR (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.456 – 3.032; p < 0.001), and MHR (OR: 1.227, 95% CI: 1.125 – 1.339; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of the AVS when NLR and MHR analysed as a continuous variable. Using a cut off level of NLR > 1.4 (OR: 4.825, 95% CI: 2.430 – 9.583; p < 0.001) and MHR > 9.5 (OR: 13.937, 95% CI: 7.464 – 26.023; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of the AVS.Conclusion: Increased CRP levels, NLR and MHR were found to be independent predictors for AVS. Hematological inflammatory biomarkers are cost effective and helpful approach for prediction of AVS presence.

The association between platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and inflammatory markers with the severity of aortic stenosis

AIM

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) was proposed as a novel indirect marker of inflammation. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between PLR and aortic stenosis (AS).

PATIENTS & METHODS

The study population included 453 patients of which 98 patients with severe AS, 206 patients with mild-to-moderate AS and 149 patients as control.

RESULTS

PLR was significantly increased in parallel to the severity of AS (p < 0.001). There was significant positive correlation between PLR and maximum, and mean systolic transaortic gradient (all p < 0.001). Also, PLR was correlated with C-reactive protein and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (all p < 0.001) and PLR was independently associated with the presence of AS (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We found a significant relationship between PLR and AS.

The relationship between neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and calcific aortic stenosis

BACKGROUND

The role of inflammation in fibrotic and calcific processes of atherosclerosis and aortic stenosis (AS) is similar. Furthermore, a relationship between systemic inflammation and heart failure has been well demonstrated. Recently, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been proposed as a predictive marker of systemic inflammation. We investigated the association of NLR with the severity of calcific AS and left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in patients with severe calcific AS.

METHODS

A total of 96 patients with calcific AS were included in this retrospective study from 2011 to 2013. The severity of AS was graded according to the transaortic mean pressure gradient. The patients were divided into 3 groups as mild-to-moderate AS, severe AS with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and severe AS with reduced LVEF (mean gradient >40 mmHg and LVEF <50%).

RESULTS

Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in severe calcific AS with reduced LVEF group than the other 2 groups (3.94 ± 0.88, P < 0.001). In addition, NLR was higher in severe AS with normal LVEF group than mild-to-moderate AS group (2.69 ± 1.00 vs. 2.05 ± 0.64, P = 0.008). There was a statistically significant correlation between NLR and both transaortic mean pressure gradient and aortic valve peak velocity in patients with mild-to-severe AS with normal LVEF (n = 81; r = 0.369, P < 0.001; r = 0.290, P = 0.004; respectively).

CONCLUSION

Increased NLR is related to the severity of calcific AS and LV systolic dysfunction in patients with severe calcific AS.

Effect of rosuvastatin on C-reactive protein and progression of aortic stenosis

BACKGROUND

Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) is a common finding in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and may be associated with rapid AS progression and worse outcome. The purpose of the study was to examine the role of high-sensitivity CRP and its interaction with rosuvastatin on the progression of AS.

METHODS

We measured CRP at baseline, 1 year, and end of follow-up in 260 patients with a median follow-up of 3.5 years. Analyses were performed based on baseline CRP tertiles and baseline CRP >3 and ≤3 mg/L.

RESULTS

After adjustment for baseline characteristics, higher CRP levels were associated with age, female gender, body mass index, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels but not with AS severity. Treatment with rosuvastatin led to a persistent decrease in CRP at 1 year and end of follow-up. Progression of AS was detected in patients in all 3 CRP tertiles, and rosuvastatin treatment had no impact on progression in all 3 tertiles. Similar findings were observed using CRP >3 mg/L as the cutpoint. Multiple linear regression showed that baseline AS velocity (P < .001), but not CRP, was the only predictor of progression of AS; age (P = .05) and baseline AS velocity (P < .001), but not CRP and rosuvastatin treatment, were predictors of outcome events.

CONCLUSION

C-reactive protein does not predict severity, progression, and prognosis in patients with mild to moderate AS. Treatment with rosuvastatin reduces CRP levels but has no effect on the progression and clinical events of AS.