Evaluation of red cell distribution width as a prognostic marker in coronary artery disease patients

Abstract

Background & Objectives: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is measure of erythrocyte size variability and heterogeneity. RDW is a newly identified risk marker that has been reported in various studies to be a predictor for morbidity and mortality in many diseases affecting the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study is to determine the values of red cell distribution width in patients admitted with acute cardiovascular events and to prove its co relation with echocardiographic findings of systolic and diastolic functions in coronary artery disease patients. Methodology: This study was a descriptive study including 70 patients who satisfy the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Informed consent was taken from all the patients. The patients were assessed by clinical and laboratory methods. The patients were evaluated using echocardiogram and hematological investigations. Statistical evaluation was performed using suitable statistical methods like Sperman’s rank correlation method and Karl Pearson correlation method. Results: High values of RDW is seen in people with less ejection fraction. Red Cell Distribution Width ( RDW) levels are in a higher levels in patients who was admitted with myocardial infarction. Patients with low LV ejection fraction have elevated RDW levels compared with normal LV ejection fraction, thus RDW levels correlated with severity of LV dysfunction. Patients with high RDW have more severe grade of left ventricular dysfunction, thus it’s a poor prognostic indicator in them. Conclusion and interpretation: Thus the study proved its objectives in a well disciplined manner. Instead of using more expensive studies as a screening for prediction of adverse cardiovascular outcome, a meagre testing of complete hemogram will help you to identify the high risk in a population to develop any illness pertaining to the cardiovascular system. Various other studies have proven as mentioned in the below sections that RDW is a predictor of morbidity and mortality in many of heart diseases. This study proved the use of RDW as a prognostic marker in one of the major debilitating cause of present era morbidity that is Myocardial Infarction.