Endothelial dysfunction in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism: neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and platelet to lymphocyte ratio

Background and AimsPulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a common cardiovascular emergency. Activated leukocytes may produce free oxygen radicals and endothelial damage, and, thereby, increased inflammation and thrombogenesis. In this study, we aimed to investigate endothelial dysfunction in patients with PTE. MethodsBetween May 2012 and July 2013, a total of 71 patients with acute PTE (32 males, 39 females; mean age: 64.9415.27years; range: 33 to 87years) who were admitted to the Emergency and Thoracic Diseases Departments and 56 healthy controls (44 males, 12 females; mean age: 62.529.80 years; range: 46 to 79years) were included. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BFMD) was performed. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were calculated. ResultsSignificantly higher BFMD values were observed in patients with PTE (P<0.05). Patients with PTE also had significantly higher NLR and PLR values, compared with the healthy control group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe results of our study suggest that using non-invasive method such as ultrasonography combined with NLR and PLR in endothelial dysfunction diagnosis in PTE patients are both effective and inexpensive. We believe in PTE patients endothelial dysfunction may play a role in the development of probable cardiovascular events in future.