BACKGROUND: Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is an emerging inflammatory indicator which is closely associated with adverse cardiovascular events. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between PLR and the severity of calcific aortic stenosis (AS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was designed as a retrospective study. A total of 86 consecutive patients with calcific AS were divided into two groups as mild-to-moderate AS and severe AS according to the transaortic mean pressure gradient. PLR levels were calculated from the complete blood count (CBC).

RESULTS: Platelet to lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in severe and mild-to-moderate AS groups when compared to the control subjects (151±31.2, p<0.001, 138±28.8 vs. 126±26.5, p=0.008, respectively). In the subgroup analysis of AS patients, PLR was found to be higher in the severe AS group compared to mild-to-moderate group (p<0.001). A significant correlation was found between PLR and transaortic mean pressure gradient in patients with AS (r=0.421, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study results demonstrated that increased PLR correlates with the severity of calcific AS.

Keywords: Aortic Valve - pathology, Aortic Valve Stenosis - pathology, Blood Platelets - cytology, Calcinosis - pathology, Cell Count, Echocardiography, Lymphocyte Count, Lymphocytes - cytology, Platelet Count, Sample Size, Severity of Illness Index