Introduction: Chronic inflammation plays an essential role in the pathophysiology of both arterial hypertension (HTN) and coronary artery disease (CAD), and is more pronounced in individuals with a non-dipper circadian blood pressure (BP) pattern. A non-dipping BP pattern is in turn is associated with increased cardiovascular morbi-mortality, and a higher risk of atherosclerotic events. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are readily available predictors of systemic inflammation and cardiovascular risk. The purpose of our study is to evaluate whether NLR, MLR and PLR can be used as cost-effective predictors of a non-dipping blood pressure pattern in hypertensive patients with stable CAD.
Materials and methods: We performed a cross-sectional retrospective analysis that included 80 patients with hypertension and stable CAD (mean age 55.51 ± 11.83 years, 71.3% male) referred to a cardiovascular rehabilitation center. All patients underwent clinical examination, 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and standard blood analysis.
Results: Baseline demographic characteristics were similar in both groups. Patients with non-dipper pattern had significantly higher NLR (median = 2, IR (2-3), p < 0.001), MLR (median = 0.31, IR (0.23-0.39), p < 0.001) and PLR (median = 175, IR (144-215), p < 0.001) compared to dippers.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that MLR and PLR are inexpensive and easily accessible biomarkers that predict a non-dipping pattern in hypertensive patients with stable CAD.
Keywords: biomarkers; coronary artery disease; hypertension; non-dipper pattern.