Monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of worse long-term survival after off-pump surgical revascularization-initial report

Background and objective: Coronary artery disease is one of the leading causes of deaths nowadays and the trends in diagnosis and revascularization are still in plateau despite well-known factors. Simple whole blood count parameters may be used to measure inflammatory reactions that are involved in processes of atherosclerosis progression. The aim of our study was to analyse the association between simply available hematologic indices and long-term mortality following off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). Material and Methods: The study group comprised 129 consecutive patients (16 females and 113 males, mean age 66 ± 6 years) who underwent surgical revascularization with off-pump technique between January 2014 and September 2019. The mean follow-up was 4.7 +/−1.9 years. A receiver operating characteristics curve was applied to estimate demographical and perioperative parameters including MLR for mortality. Results: Cox regression analysis revealed chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (HR = 2.86, 95%CI 1.05–7.78), MLR (HR = 3.81, 95%CI 1.45–10.06) and right coronary artery blood flow (HR = 1.06, 95%CI 1.00–1.10) as significant factors predicting increased mortality risk. In the presented model, the MLR > 1.44 on 1st postoperative day was a significant predictor of late mortality after the OPCAB procedure (HR = 3.82, 95%CI 1.45–10.06). Conclusions: Pronounced inflammatory reaction after off-pump surgery measured by MLR > 1.44 can be regarded as a worse long-term prognostic factor.