Abstract
An elevated peripheral leucocyte count is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction and progression of coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to determine neutrophil count and activation, measured as an increase in plasma neutrophil elastase, in patients with stable ischaemic heart disease, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and essential hypertension compared with a comparable group of control subjects. Neutrophil count and neutrophil elastase were raised significantly for patients with ischaemic heart disease (p < 0.005; p < 0.002), diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001; p < 0.01) and hypertension (p < 0.05; p < 0.0001) respectively compared to the control subjects. Neutrophil elastase did not correlate with subject age or leucocyte count. This study confirms the association between leucocyte count and vascular disease, and is consistent with neutrophil activation contributing to the progression of vascular disease.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 41-43 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Scottish Medical Journal |
Volume | 37 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 1992 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Leucocyte count
- Neutrophil count
- Neutrophil elastase
- Vascular disease
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine