ISSN 1016-5169 | E-ISSN 1308-4488
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Increased leucocyte count could predict coronary artery calcification in patients free of clinically apparent cardiovascular disease [Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars]
Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars. 2012; 40(3): 223-228 | DOI: 10.5543/tkda.2012.37801

Increased leucocyte count could predict coronary artery calcification in patients free of clinically apparent cardiovascular disease

Levent Korkmaz1, Selim Kul2, Ayça Ata Korkmaz3, Ali Rıza Akyüz4, Mustafa Tarık Ağaç2, Hakan Erkan2, Zeydin Acar2, Adem Adar2, Muslihittin Emre Erkuş2, Şükrü Çelik2
1Department of Cardiology, Adana Numune Training And Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
2Department of Cardiology, Trabzon Ahi Evren Thorasic And Cardiovascular Surgery Training And Research Hospital, Trabzon, Turkey.
3Department of Radiology, Adana Numune Training And Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
4Department of Cardiology, Akçaabat Hackalı Baba State Hospital, Trabzon, Turkey


OBJECTIVES
Several studies have demonstrated that inflammation plays a major role in the development of atherosclerosis and that the inflammatory process might also be involved in coronary artery calcification (CAC). The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between leucocyte count and CAC and to determine whether a higher leucocyte count could indicate subclinical atherosclerosis in patients without overt cardiovascular disease.

STUDY DESIGN
A total of 284 consecutive patients (156 men, 128 women) without established cardiovascular disease were enrolled. CAC was measured using cardiac computed tomography. Leucocyte count was measured via routine blood examination.

RESULTS
Patients with CAC had higher leucocyte counts compared to those without calcification (7.87±1.85 vs. 6.01±1.84; p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis identified the following as independent predictors of CAC: leucocyte count (odds ratio [OR]: 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-2.1), smoking (OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2-4.6) and age (OR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3). There was also a significant correlation between CAC and leucocyte count (r=0.57, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION
We demonstrated that leucocytes may play an important role in the evolution of CAC and may be used in the detection of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic subjects.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis/blood, biological markers/blood, calcium, coronary artery disease/epidemiology; risk factors

How to cite this article
Levent Korkmaz, Selim Kul, Ayça Ata Korkmaz, Ali Rıza Akyüz, Mustafa Tarık Ağaç, Hakan Erkan, Zeydin Acar, Adem Adar, Muslihittin Emre Erkuş, Şükrü Çelik. Increased leucocyte count could predict coronary artery calcification in patients free of clinically apparent cardiovascular disease. Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars. 2012; 40(3): 223-228

Corresponding Author: Ali Rıza Akyüz, Türkiye
Manuscript Language: English


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Journal Citation Indicator: 0.18
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SCImago Journal Rank: 0.348

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