Leukocyte Count as an Independent Predictor of Recurrent Ischemic Events
- 1 May 2004
- journal article
- clinical trial
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in Stroke
- Vol. 35 (5), 1147-1152
- https://doi.org/10.1161/01.str.0000124122.71702.64
Abstract
Background and Purpose— Inflammatory markers predict first-time ischemic events. We investigated whether leukocyte and differential counts predict recurrent events and ischemic events in high-risk populations, and whether such events are preceded by acutely exacerbated inflammation. Methods— We studied 18 558 patients with ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, or peripheral arterial disease who participated in the trial of Clopidogrel versus Aspirin in Patients at Risk of Ischemic Events (CAPRIE), a study that compared the occurrence of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death under randomized treatment with aspirin or clopidogrel. Leukocyte counts were frequently assessed during followup. Results— Compared with the quartile with lowest leukocyte counts at baseline (8.2×10 9 /L) had higher risks for ischemic stroke (relative risk 1.30; P =0.007), myocardial infarction (relative risk 1.56, P P 9 /L; P =0.005). Conclusions— Leukocyte counts and mainly neutrophil counts are independently associated with ischemic events in these high-risk populations. An increase of leukocyte counts over baseline levels heralds a period of increased risk lasting about one week.This publication has 23 references indexed in Scilit:
- White blood cell count: An independent predictor of coronary heart disease mortality among a national cohortJournal of Clinical Epidemiology, 2001
- Platelet CD40 ligand (CD40L) – subcellular localization, regulation of expression, and inhibition by clopidogrelPlatelets, 2001
- Plaque Disruption and ThrombosisCardiology in Review, 2000
- Atherosclerosis — An Inflammatory DiseaseThe New England Journal of Medicine, 1999
- Inflammation, Aspirin, and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Apparently Healthy MenThe New England Journal of Medicine, 1997
- Inflammation, Atherosclerosis, and Ischemic Events — Exploring the Hidden Side of the MoonThe New England Journal of Medicine, 1997
- A randomised, blinded, trial of clopidogrel versus aspirin in patients at risk of ischaemic events (CAPRIE)The Lancet, 1996
- Seasonal variations of plasma fibrinogen and factor VII activity in the elderly: winter infections and death from cardiovascular diseaseThe Lancet, 1994
- Leukocyte Count, Smoking, and Myocardial InfarctionThe New England Journal of Medicine, 1981
- Smoking and leucocyte-counts: Results of an epidemiological surveyThe Lancet, 1971