Objectives: Rheumatic heart disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in developed and undeveloped countries. Rheumatic valve disease is the most long-term sequel in rheumatic heart disease, and the platelet to lymphocyte ratio is a novel biomarker which is associated with poor clinical outcomes in various cardiovascular disorders. We evaluated the relationship between the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and chronic rheumatic heart disease. Methods: We analyzed 54 patients with rheumatic heart disease and 49 healthy subjects. All patients were evaluated using transthoracic echocardiography. In addition to echocardiographic and biochemical parameters, the platelet-tolymphocyte ratio was compared between the groups. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups regarding ejection fraction, left atrium, left ventricular end diastolic diameter and left ventricle end systolic diameter in the echocardiographic assessment. Biochemical parameters were similar between the groups regarding glucose, creatine, total cholesterol triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein. The lymphocyte count was significantly lower in the rheumatic heart disease group than the control group (2.46±0.70 vs. 2.64±0.53, p=0.01). The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in the rheumatic heart disease group (110.86±46.67 vs. 90.07±21.56, p=0.01). Conclusion: The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio was high, and the lymphocyte count was low in the rheumatic heart disease group than the control group. Keywords: Inflammation; platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio; rheumatic heart disease.
Corresponding Author: Ramazan Asoglu