The role of leukocyte counts in patients with unstable angina pectoris or myocardial infarction; prognostic significance and correlation with plasma brain natriuretic peptide (bnp) levels

Objective: to study the role of leukocyte count in patients with unstable angina pectoris or myocardial infarction (acute coronary syndrome) its prognostic significance and correlation with plasma brain natriuretic peptide (bnp) levels.methods: a total of 143 patients with unstable angina pectoris, non-st segment elevation mi and st segment elevation mi were considered for entry into the study. plasma bnp levels were measured using a commercial bnp kit (axsym system bnp reagent pack, abbott laboratories, abbott park, il, usa). leukocyte count was measured on cell dyne counter of abbott laboratories.results: mean age of the patients were 58.67±12.48 years. mean leukocyte count was 9772±3006 /cumm. in all 43 (30 %) patients had high leukocyte count, and 82 (57%) patients had elevated bnp level. out of 61 patients with normal bnp level, 49 (80%) had normal leukocyte count and 12 (20%) had elevated leukocyte count. out of 82 patients with elevated bnp level, 51 (62%) had normal leukocyte count and 31 (38%) had elevated leukocyte count (p = 0.01).conclusion: no statistically significant association was found between leukocyte count and acs. although there is a trend of increased leukocyte count noted in patients with increase bnp level. this finding necessitates further studies to elucidate its accurate significance.