The Prognostic Value of The Platelet/Lymphocyte Ratio in Predicting Short-Term Mortality in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract

Objectives: Pulmonary embolism (PE), which has an inflammatory component, has high mortality and morbidity rates. The platelet/lymphocyte ratio is a novel marker of inflammation that is an independent predictor of mortality in cardiac and various oncological diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine the prognostic value of the platelet/lymphocyte ratio for short-term mortality for patients with acute pulmonary embolism. Materials and Methods: A total of 290 patients who were admitted to the emergency department and diagnosed with acute PE were enrolled retrospectively. Acute pulmonary embolism was confirmed via multislice computerized tomography. Results: Of the 290 patients, 53 (18.2%) died within 1 month after the diagnosis was made. Age, malignancy, coronary artery disease, right ventricular dilatation, hemoglobin, white blood cell, neutrophil, and platelet counts, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, and pulmonary embolism severity index were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2. The platelet/lymphocyte ratio, hemoglobin, and simplified pulmonary embolism severity index were independent predictors of mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism. A platelet/lymphocyte ratio of more than 176.31 predicted the presence of mortality within 30 days after acute pulmonary embolism with a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 70%. Conclusion: Platelet/lymphocyte ratios were higher in patients who died within 30 days of PE than those who did not. An inexpensive and practical parameter such as the platelet/lymphocyte ratio might be useful in mortality risk prediction in acute pulmonary embolism. ( Sakarya Med J 2015, 5(4):204-208 ) Keywords: Platelet/lymphocyte ratio; pulmonary embolism; mortality