Elevated levels of RDW is associated with non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Red cell distribution width (RDW) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) have been found to be associated with cardiovascular diseases. Only a few trials have investigated the correlation of these parameters with postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the correlation of these parameters in non-valvular AF is still unclear. We retrospectively analyzed consecutive AF patients from medical records and included 117 non-valvular AF patients (103 paroxysmal and 14 chronic AF). All subjects underwent physical examination and echocardiographic imaging. Complete blood counts (CBCs) were analyzed for hemoglobin, RDW, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts as well as mean corpuscular volume. Results of CBC tests within the previous year were also included and the averages were used. The demographic and echocardiographic properties of non-valvular AF group were comparable to the control group except for left atrial volumes which were increased in AF (median 33.1, IQR 26.3-41.1 cm(3) vs. median 26.4, IQR 24.2-28.9 cm(3); p = 0.01). RDW levels were significantly higher in the AF group (median 13.4 %, IQR 12.9-14.1 %) compared to the control (median 12.6 %, IQR 12.0-13.1 %; p = 0.01). NLR was not statistically different in the AF group and the controls (2.04 ± 0.94 vs. 1.93 ± 0.64, respectively; p = 0.32). Hs-CRP levels were higher in the AF group compared to the controls (median 0.84, IQR 0.30-1.43 mg/L vs. median 0.29, IQR 0.18-0.50 mg/L, respectively; p = 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed RDW (OR 4.18, 95 % CI 2.15-8.15; p = 0.01), hs-CRP (OR 3.76, 95 % CI 1.43-9.89; p = 0.01) and left atrial volume (OR 1.31, 95 % CI 1.06-1.21; p = 0.01) as the independent markers of non-valvular AF. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that hemoglobin levels (standardized β coefficient = -0.252; p = 0.01) and the presence of AF (standardized β coefficient = 0.336; p = 0.01) were the independent correlates of RDW levels. Elevated RDW levels, not NLR, may be an independent risk marker for non-valvular AF.

Brief Report: Elevated Red Cell Distribution Width Identifies Elevated Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Patients With HIV Infection

“…In a population-based analysis of 25,612 persons in Norway, there was a linear association between baseline RDW and risk of myocardial infarction, with 13% increase in MI risk for every 1% increment in RDW 31 , which persisted after exclusion of patients with anemia 32 . Similarly, studies have associated RDW with the presence of coronary artery disease 33 , peripheral vascular disease 34 , and atrial fibrillation 35 . We are unaware of any prior report describing the relationship between RDW and cardiovascular disease in the context of HIV infection.…”

Association of admission serum laboratory parameters with new-onset atrial fibrillation after a primary percutaneous coronary intervention

“…Conversely, some studies in the literature did not report an association between NLR and AF occurrence [20]. Güngör et al [21] reported a correlation of RDW and CRP with rate of AF paroxysms, but NLR and other hematological parameters were not correlated with AF. On the basis of these conflicting results, Shao et al [20] carried out a meta-analysis and reported that admission NLR levels were associated with an increased risk of AF recurrence/occurrence.…”

The Relationship Between Inflammatory Marker Levels and Pulmonary Tuberculosis Severity

“…WBC count is a marker of inflammation, and NLR may be used to predict the prognosis of patients with systemic inflammatory diseases [25][26][27]. Gary et al investigated NLR and its association with critical limb ischemia (CLI) in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) [28].…”