Relationship between presence of spontaneous echo contrast and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with mitral stenosis.

Background Left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) is an existence of smoke-like echoes with a typical swirling motion of blood in left atrial cavity or appendage, and it is known to be a marker of prothrombotic state. Previous studies have revealed that there is an association between prothrombotic state and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Thus, we aimed to investigate the association between the presence of SEC and PLR in patients with mitral stenosis (MS). Methods A total of 306 consecutive patients with MS were enrolled in the study. Transoesophageal echocardiography was made to assess the SEC for all patients. Recruited patients were divided into two groups according to the formation of SEC in the left atrium. Complete blood counting parameters, biochemical tests and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) levels were measured. Results There were 182 patients (mean age 42.7 +/- 11.9 and 78% female) in the SEC (-) group, and 124 patients (mean age 45.3 +/- 10.5 and 68% female) in the SEC (+) group. Hs-CRP levels (3.9 +/- 1.9 vs 5.1 +/- 3.6, P < 0.001) were significantly different between the two groups. PLR (143.4 +/- 77.7 vs 180.6 +/- 108.7, P < 0.001) was significantly higher in the SEC (+) group. ROC curve analysis, PRL >= 123 had 71% sensitivity and 52% specificity in predicting SEC in patients with MS. Conclusion Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio is an inexpensive and easily calculated biomarker, which is useful to predict left atrial SEC in patients with mitral stenosis.