Red blood cell distribution width and myocardial scar burden in coronary artery disease

Abstract

Increased RDW is an independent predictor both of myocardial scar burden and of impaired left ventricular function in subjects with coronary artery disease.

Medical significance of simultaneous application of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and neopterin as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers in clinical practice

“…The normal reference range for RDW in Magri's laboratory is between 11.5% and 14.5%. The authors [10,11] also supported our previous data and conclusions [5] that rheological alterations could explain an association between high RDW levels and increased total blood viscosity and whole blood viscosity (WBV) in cases of altered RBC rheological properties that result in significant changes in the microcirculation with consequent sluggish blood flow and vessel occlusions.…”

“…The more interesting result obtained as well as a general conclusion made by Magri et al [11] postulated that RDW was found to be an independent predictor of disease outcomes in cases of CAD together with MPV and LDL-cholesterol. In our studies [5,32], we also demonstrated interesting relationships between simultaneously increased values of RDW, MCV, WBV and simultaneously increased values of RDW, MCV, WBV and MPV in cases of chronic heroin addiction.…”

“…These and other cytokines could simultaneously affect both circulating RBCs and PLTs during inflammation and are closely related to the cardiovascular and vascular risks. A number of studies have shown that MPV is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and is a predictor of cerebrovascular disease [11,16,38]. The authors reported that higher PLT counts reflect underlying inflammation, as several inflammatory mediators and pro-inflammatory cytokines could influence bone marrow and spleen megacaryocytopoiesis, producing relative thrombocytosis in the blood stream and leading to the formation of platelet-rich thrombi on atherosclerotic plaques on the blood vessel walls.…”

“…Horne et al [21] reported that MCV is also a hematometric index and biomarker predicting adverse outcomes in chronic vascular diseases. In the recent study by Magri et al [11], investigating RDW as a novel independent marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and especially of coronary artery disease (CAD), more hematometric indices such as MCV, Hb, platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), lipid profiles and other hematological and biochemical measurements were evaluated and statistically analyzed as additional strong and independent biomarkers associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. The normal reference range for RDW in Magri's laboratory is between 11.5% and 14.5%.…”

“…In conclusion, we recommended the results of our study be applied in medical practice in order to determine their clinical usefulness to optimize the treatment of some vascular/cardiovascular complications such as hypoxemia, major ischemic syndrome, circulatory disturbances, hypertension, cardiac arrythmia, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), etc. The prognostic value of RWD, as stated in our above-mentioned previous study has been recognized and this parameter was used for further studies by mainly cardiologists [6][7][8][9][10][11] (Table 1).…”