Relationship of white blood cell count and neutrophil /lymphocyte ratio with the severity of coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden

Objective To investigate the relationship of white blood cell count and neutrophil / lymphocyte( N/L) ratio with the severity of coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden( CAPB). Methods From March 2011 to February 2012,175 hospitalized patients with coronary artery disease [69 cases of myocardial infarction( AMI),64 cases of unstable angina( UAP),42 cases of stable angina( SAP) ],and 82 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Sysmex SF-3000 automatic hematology analyzer was used for white cell count and classification,and calculation of N /L ratio. Clinical data were collected. Coronary angiography was used for quantitative assessment on coronary artery stenosis through Gensini scoring method and on coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden through Sullivan method in the coronary artery disease patients. Results White blood cell count and N /L ratio in the coronary artery disease patients were higher than those in the healthy controls( P 0. 01). White blood cell count and N /L ratio in AMI group were higher than those in SAP group and UAP group( P 0.05). Compared to SAP group,UAP group had higher white blood cell count and N/L ratio( P 0. 05). White blood cell count was positively correlated with Gensini scores( r = 0. 226,P 0. 05). Both white blood cell count( r =0. 354,P 0. 05) and N /L ratio( r = 0. 435,P 0. 01) were positively correlated with CAPB. Multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated white blood cell count and N /L ratio were independent predictors for CAPB( Or = 0. 12,95% CI0. 03- 0. 23,P 0. 01),but were not correlated with blood vessels stenosis( P = 0. 067). Conclusion White blood cell count and N /L ratio may reflect severity of coronary plaque burden.