Results

The high NLR group was associated with a significantly higher rate of 12-month MACE (19.1% vs. 3.7%, p< 0.001), 12-month death (18.2% vs. 2.8%, p< 0.001), in-hospital MACE (12.7% vs. 2.8%, p= 0.010) and in-hospital death (12.7% vs. 1.9%, p= 0.003) compared to the low NLR group. In the multivariable model, high NLR was an independent predictor of 12-month MACE {hazard ratio (HR) 3.33 (1.09-10.16), p= 0.035} and death {HR 4.10 (1.17-14.46), p= 0.028} after adjustment for gender, left ventricular ejection fraction, creatinine clearance, angiographic parameters and factors included in the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction risk score for STEMI. There was a significant gradient of 12-month MACE across the NLR tertiles with a markedly increased MACE hazard in the high NLR group (log rank test p= 0.002).

Conclusion

The NLR is a useful marker to predict 12-month MACE and death in patients with STEMI who have undergone primary PCI.