Prognostic Value of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients With Myocardial Infarction With Non-obstructive Coronary Arteries

Abstract

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a heterogeneous entity with an inflammatory etiopathogenesis. This study investigated the prognostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with MINOCA. Coronary angiographies performed between June 2015 and August 2018 were analyzed retrospectively and included 72 patients with MINOCA and 248 controls with normal coronary angiograms. The predictors of mortality were determined by univariate Cox regression analysis. The mean age of the subjects was 46 ± 9 years, and 176 (55%) were female. Median follow-up was 21 (max: 42) months. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in the MINOCA group than in the controls ( P < .01). During long-term follow-up, the number of deaths was 6 in the MINOCA group and none in the control patients ( P < .01). Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the NLR (hazard ratio: 1.24, 95% confidence interval: 1.09-1.41, P = .001) was a predictor of mortality in patients with MINOCA. Kaplan–Meier analysis also showed that patients with MINOCA had relatively higher mortality rate (long-rank test; P < .01). In conclusion, the NLR is significantly higher in patients with MINOCA compared with controls, and it is a predictor of long-term mortality.