JOMPAC
Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care

Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care (JOMPAC) is an open access scientific journal with independent, unbiased, and double-blind review under international guidelines. The purpose of JOMPAC is to contribute to the literature by publishing articles on health sciences and medicine.

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Original Article
Evaluation of the relationship between the RDW/albumin ratio and coronary artery ectasia
Abstract
Aims: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is a vascular abnormality associated with inflammation and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The red blood cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio (RAR) has emerged as a novel biomarker reflecting systemic inflammation and nutritional status. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between RAR and the presence of CAE.
Methods: In this retrospective study, 80 patients diagnosed with CAE via coronary angiography and 80 age-and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Laboratory parameters, including RDW, serum albumin, and RAR, were analyzed. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for group comparisons, and significance was set at p<0.05. Patients with active infection, severe organ failure, or malignancy were excluded.
Results: Demographic and clinical variables were similar between groups (p>0.05). Median (IQR) serum albumin levels were significantly lower in the CAE group compared to controls [41.0 (39.0–43.9) g/L vs. 43.9 (42.0–45.7) g/L; p<0.001]. Although RDW alone did not differ significantly between groups (p=0.448), the RAR was significantly higher in CAE patients [0.375 (0.338–0.410)] than in controls [0.355 (0.330–0.390)] (p=0.036). Additional findings included reduced lymphocyte and platelet counts and elevated monocyte counts and mean platelet volume (MPV) in the patient group, indicating a pro-inflammatory state.
Conclusion: The RDW/albumin ratio was significantly elevated in patients with CAE, suggesting that it may serve as a simple, inexpensive, and effective inflammatory biomarker in this population. While RDW and albumin are routinely available in clinical practice, their combined interpretation via RAR may provide additional insight into the inflammatory status of patients with CAE. Further prospective, large-scale studies are warranted to confirm these findings and clarify the prognostic value of RAR in CAE.

Keywords : Coronary artery ectasia, RDW/albumin ratio, inflammation, red blood cell

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Article available in :
Volume 6, Issue 3, 2025
Page : 284-288
https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1705588
Article Information
Received : 24 May 2025
Accepted : 13 Haz 2025
Published : 18 Haz 2025
Corresponding Author :

Tolga Memioğlu: Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Memioğlu T. Evaluation of the relationship between the RDW/albumin ratio and coronary artery ectasia. J Med Palliat Care. 2025;6(3):284-288. doi:10.47582/jompac.1705588

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