Association of ratios of monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and neutrophil/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol with atherosclerotic plaque type on coronary computed tomography.

Objectives: The monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (MHR) and neutrophil/HDL-C ratio (NHR) are markers for inflammation and dyslipidaemia, which are important factors in atherosclerosis. Studies have linked MHR and NHR to the prediction, severity and prognosis of coronary artery disease. However, no study has explored their connection to plaque stability, specifically its calcific or soft/mixed content.

Methods: Monocyte, neutrophil and HDL-C levels were examined in 99 patients who had coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) between January and August 2023. They were divided into three groups: a group of 42 healthy individuals (group 0) with no coronary artery plaque and an Agatson score of 0, an unstable plaque group (group 1) with 31 patients displaying mixed and/or soft plaque on CTA, and a stable plaque group (group 2) with 26 patients showing only calcific plaque.

Results: White blood cell (WBC), monocyte and neutrophil counts were significantly higher in group 1 patients compared to group 0 patients (group 0: WBC = 6.31 ± 0.97 × 103 cells/µl, monocytes = 0.40 ± 0.09 × 10^³ cells/µl, neutrophils = 3.32 ± 0.81 × 10^³ cells/µl; and group 1: WBC = 7.61 ± 1.95 × 10^³ cells/µl, monocytes = 0.50 ± 0.11 × 10^³ cells/µl, neutrophils = 4.19 ± 1.36 10^³ cells/µl; p < 0.05). MHR and NHR were significantly higher in group 1 patients compared to group 0 patients (group 0: MHR = 0.0079 ± 0.0029, NHR = 0.063 ± 0.023 and group 1: MHR = 0.0102 ± 0.003, NHR = 0.085 ± 0.036, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The significant differences in MHR and NHR between the three groups were due to the differences between groups 0 and 1. MHR and NHR were significantly higher in group 1 patients, although there was no statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 2.