NR 98-4835 (Circulation/Gibbons)
DALLAS, Jan. 13 -- The health of a person's heart may be found by looking in the blood, according to a report in today's Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
In a study of 211 men with heart failure who were awaiting transplants, researchers found that those with low lymphocyte levels were more likely to die than individuals with normal levels of this type of white blood cell that is made in lymph tissues. Lymphocyte levels decrease in response to stress.
Advanced congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the demands of the body. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue and swollen lower legs.
"This investigation reveals that lymphocyte concentration was significantly and independently related to survival. This simple marker is a standard part of the complete blood count and, as such, adds minimal expense or time to the evaluation process. It could aid in the selection of patients for cardiac transplantation," says Raymond Gibbons, M.D., professor of medicine at the Mayo Medical School, Rochester, Minn.
Survival rate was 34 percent for those with lymphocyte concentrations of less than 20.3 percent, which is the lower limit of normal. In contrast, 73 percent whose blood samples had concentrations above 20.3 percent survived. Lymphocyte concentration is defined as the ratio of lymphocytes to total white blood cells.
Co-authors are Steve Ommen, M.D.; David Hodge, M.Sc.; Richard Rodeheffer, M.D.; Christopher McGregor, M.D.; and Stephen Thomson, M.D.
Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association is one of five journals published by the Dallas-based American Heart Association.
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Media advisory: Dr. Gibbons may be reached at (507) 284-2541. (Please do not publish telephone number.)