Eosinophils count in peripheral circulation is associated with coronary artery disease

Abstract Background and aims Allergic asthma can accelerate atherosclerosis, a disease in which plaque is deposited onto arterial walls and that may lead to coronary artery disease (CAD). Eosinophils are the most important effector cells in allergic asthma and are likely to become novel biomarkers for risk stratification of patients with CAD, but the relationship between eosinophil count and CAD remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate this relationship and the use of eosinophils in predicting CAD. Methods A total of 5287 patients who underwent coronary angiography were recruited. Their biochemical parameters, including eosinophil count, were measured and their correlation with the severity of coronary artery stenosis, as quantified by the Gensini score system, was evaluated. Results The percentages of eosinophils in leukocytes (PELs) were lower in CAD patients ( p r  = -0.112, p p p p Conclusions PELs, at least in patients undergoing coronary angiography, may be strongly related to the subtype and severity of CAD and, therefore, eosinophil count may be an accurate and independent biomarker to predict CAD severity and acute coronary arterial thrombotic events.