Red Cell Distribution Width Can Predict the Significance of Angiographically Intermediate Coronary Lesions

Objective

In the present study, the association between red cell distribution width (RDW) with functional significance of intermediate coronary artery lesions was investigated.

Materials and Methods

Two hundred and forty-six consecutive patients, 168 males and 78 females, who underwent fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement for angiographically intermediate coronary stenosis (40-70% in quantitative coronary analysis) in the left anterior descending coronary artery were enrolled into the study. The functional significance of intermediate coronary artery lesions was determined by FFR measurement. An FFR value <0.75 was defined as functionally significant. Venous blood samples were taken within 48 h before the FFR measurement, and RDW levels were determined by a Coulter LH Series hematology analyzer. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between functional significance in FFR measurement and other variables.

Results

Of the 246 patients, 62 (25.2%) exhibited significant functional stenosis (FFR <0.75) in the FFR measurement. The mean RDW level was significantly higher in patients with significant stenosis (14.19 ± 0.73 vs. 13.69 ± 0.77, p < 0.001). In stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis, RDW (OR = 2.489, 95% CI = 1.631-3.799, p < 0.001) and male gender (OR = 2.826, 95% CI = 1.347-5.928, p = 0.006) were independent predictors of significant functional stenosis.

Conclusion

Increased RDW levels were associated with functional significance of angiographically intermediate coronary artery stenoses.Key Words: Coronary artery stenosis, Fractional flow reserve, Erythrocyte indices, Red cell distribution width