Red cell distribution width predicts totally occluded infarct-related artery in NSTEMI

Abstract

Objective Since non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients with totally occluded infarct-related artery (TO-IRA) have worse prognosis, it is important to recognize TO-IRA in NSTEMI. Red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) are novel markers of inflammation and oxidative stress and were associated with poor clinical outcomes in acute coronary syndrome. In the present study, association of RDW and MPV with the presence of TO-IRA in NSTEMI was investigated. Methods Data of 201 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography with a diagnosis of NSTEMI were analyzed. Independent predictors of TO-IRA were investigated with logistic regression analysis. Results Sixty-six (32.8%) of the patients had TO-IRA. In patients with TO-IRA, RDW and troponin-T were significantly higher and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was lower. MPV did not differ between groups. Circumflex (CX) IRA was more common in TO-IRA group. The ROC curve analysis showed that the RDW at a cut-point of 13.95% has 76% sensitivity and 66% specificity in detecting TO-IRA. RDW, troponin-T, LVEF and CX-IRA were independent predictors of TO-IRA in NSTEMI, but MPV was not. Conclusion RDW is a cheap and readily available marker that may have a role to predict TO-IRA in NSTEMI.