Platelet-leukocyte aggregate is associated with adverse events after surgical intervention for rheumatic heart disease

Platelet-leukocyte aggregate (PLA) is implicated in the etiology of both vascular lesions and cardiovascular events. This prospective cohort study aimed to examine the prognostic value of PLA for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and perioperative adverse events (AEs) in patients with rheumatic heart disease undergoing surgical intervention by Cox proportional hazard regression and logistic regression. A total of 244 patients were included, of whom 7 were lost to follow-up. Among the analyzed 237 subjects who completed 3-year follow-up, 30 experienced MACCE and 38 experienced perioperative AEs. Preoperative PLA was higher in subjects who developed MACCE (13.32%) than in those who did not (8.69%, p = 0.040). In multivariate regression, elevated PLA was associated with increased MACCE (hazard ratio 1.51 for each quartile, 95% CI 1.07–2.13; p = 0.020), and perioperative AEs (odds ratio 1.61, 95% CI 1.14–2.26; p = 0.007). The optimal PLA cut-off for predicting MACCE was 6.8%. Subjects with PLA > 6.8% had a higher prevalence of MACCE (17.1% vs. 5.5%, p = 0.009) and perioperative AEs (19.9% vs. 8.6%, p = 0.018). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed shorter MACCE-free survival in patients with PLA > 6.8% (p = 0.007, log rank). Elevated preoperative PLA is associated with increased MACCE and perioperative AEs in patients with rheumatic valve disease undergoing surgical intervention.