Echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness and immature granulocyte are novel inflammatory predictors of acute ischemic stroke: a prospective study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is the most common type of stroke. Inflammation is the primary factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Use of immature granulocytes (IGs) has been recommended as a new indicator of systemic inflammation. However, data on the association between echocardiographic epicardial fat tissue thickness (EFT) and IGs in patients with AIS are limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the presences of IGs, epicardial fat tissue and AIS. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study in a tertiary-care university hospital in Antalya, Turkey. METHODS: Our study included 53 AIS patients and 41 healthy controls with age and gender compatibility. Blood samples and transthoracic echocardiography of all participants were compared. RESULTS: IG levels were significantly higher in patients with AIS than in controls (0.62 ± 0.36 versus 0.28 ± 0.02, P < 0.001). The mean EFT was 3.74 ± 0.61 mm in the control group and 6.33 ± 1.47 mm in the AIS patient group. EFT was significantly greater in AIS patients than in controls (P < 0.001). For the optimum cut-off value for IG (0.95), the area under the curve (AUC) was determined to be 0.840; sensitivity was determined to be 81.1% and specificity, 92.5%. For the optimum cut-off value for EFT (4.95 mm), the AUC was determined to be 0.953; sensitivity was determined to be 90.6% and specificity, 90%. CONCLUSIONS: IG and echocardiographic EFT are clinical markers that can be used to predict AIS risk.Echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness and immature granulocyte are novel inflammatory predictors of acute ischemic stroke: a prospective study | ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Acute ischemic stroke prediction and predictive factors analysis using hematological indicators in elderly hypertensives post-transient ischemic attack

“…A study indicates that eosinophil cationic protein, a marker of eosinophil activity and degranulation, when elevated, is associated with an increased incidence of AIS 56 . IG has been recommended as a new indicator of systemic inflammation, showing potential to predict AIS risk 57 . There has also been a report of BAS being successfully used as one of the input variables in machine learning to predict AIS 58 .…”

Relationship of immature granulocytes with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

“…IG# and IG% increase in response to severe infection and inflammation 23 . IG# and IG% have been suggested as novel markers of systemic inflammation in recent years 8 . IGs have been shown to play a prognostic and predictive role in a variety of inflammatory disorders 11–14 .…”

“…23 IG# and IG% have been suggested as novel markers of systemic inflammation in recent years. 8 IGs have been shown to play a prognostic and predictive role in a variety of inflammatory disorders. [11][12][13][14] It has been reported that high values of IG# and IG% predict sepsis.…”

“…The complete blood count is an easy‐to‐use, low‐cost technique that provides crucial parameters for various diseases' follow‐up. Immature granulocytes (IGs) from complete blood counts have been suggested as a novel marker of systemic inflammation in recent years 8 . Of the granulocytes, neutrophils account for around 60%, their first morphologically identifiable form is called immature granulocytes (IGs), which consist of promyelocytes, myelocytes, and metamyelocytes 9 .…”

“…Immature granulocytes (IGs) from complete blood counts have been suggested as a novel marker of systemic inflammation in recent years. 8 Of the granulocytes, neutrophils account for around 60%, their first morphologically identifiable form is called immature granulocytes (IGs), which consist of promyelocytes, myelocytes, and metamyelocytes. 9 Neutrophils play a role in almost every stage of the development of RA and are known to impact RA pathogenesis.…”