Association of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio with the Presence and Severity of Degenerative Aortic Valve Stenosis

Abstract

Objective: In different studies, it has been shown that degenerative aortic stenosis and atherosclerosis had a common pathogenic mechanism. The goal of this study was to examine the association between NLR and the presence and severity of degenerative aortic valve stenosis. Methods: Echocardiographic data (from May 2011 to September 2013) of our cardiology department was reviewed retrospectively. After evaluation according to exclusion criteria's, a total of 103 patients with degenerative AS and a control group of 35 age-and gender-matched patients who had normal echocardiographic findings were included in the study. Results: The level of NLR was highest in severe AS. The neutrophillymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in severe AS group than for the mild and moderate AS group (1.95±0.42, 2.31±0.69, 2.67±0.73; p<0.001 respectively). In comparison of the degenerative aortic stenosis groups with the control group, NLR in all aortic stenosis groups was found to be significantly higher than the control group (p<0.001). In addition, there was a statistically significant correlation between NLR and transaortic peak pressure gradient in patients with degenerative aortic stenosis (r: 0.626, p<0.001). Conclusion: The NLR, which is an inexpensive and readily available marker of chronic inflammation, may be useful in predicting the presence and severity of degenerative aortic stenosis.