Can monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratios predict heart failure?

This study investigated if monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) is associated with increased risk of heart failure in coronary artery disease.

They found that high MLR was associated with heart failure markers and can predict the likelihood of hospitalization for heart failure. 

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a condition where the vessels leading to the heart become blocked by fatty deposits or plaques. This can cause reduced blood flow to the heart and weaken the heart muscle causing a heart attack and/or heart failure.

There are a number of factors that can inform a doctor about the risk of a patient experiencing heart failure. In CHD, immune cells can become activated in response to tissue damage. These cells included monocytes and lymphocytes that travel to the site of tissue damage, such as the coronary artery. The monocyte-to-lymphocyte ration (MLR) is a measurement that tells us how ‘active’ the immune reaction is. 

This study investigated if the MLR is associated with heart failure parameters and if it can predict if a patient will experience heart failure.

This study included 1754 patients who underwent coronary angiography (a procedure to detect blockages in the coronary arteries).  The MLR of each patient was analyzed by comparing it to heart failure parameters including ejection fraction (EF, blood ejected with each heartbeat) and severity of coronary artery disease. Patients were followed for 3 years to assess if they had been hospitalized for heart failure.

MLR levels were associated with increases in a number of parameters that are symptoms of heart failure including EF, c-reactive protein and B-type natriuretic peptide (substances in the blood that indicate inflammation). Patients with high MLR had a 4-fold higher risk of developing heart failure symptoms. High MLR was also a significant predictor that a patient will require hospitalization for heart failure.

This study concluded that high MLR was associated with heart failure markers and could predict the likelihood of hospitalization for heart failure.

This study included a relatively small number of patients. The trial included a larger proportion of men than women. The trial is designed for a 5-year follow-up so the trial has not fully concluded yet. 

If you have any concerns regarding coronary heart disease treatment, please discuss with your physician.