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.
KEY WORDS (MeSH terms):
Ultrasonography; Granulocytes; Ischemic stroke
AUTHORS’ KEY WORDS:
Echocardiographic measurement; Inflammation indicators; Acute cerebrovascular event