The Clinical Importance of C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio (CAR) in Patients with Pulmonary Thromboembolism

Background: Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) commonly arises from lower extremity thrombus and can be fatal if left untreated. To date, many laboratory biomarkers have been used for predicting the prognosis in patients with PTE. C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR) is a new biomarker of systemic inflammation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical importance of CAR in PTE patients.Methods: One hundred thirty-three eligible patients who were followed up with the diagnosis of PTE in our hospital between July 2016 and May 2020 were retrospectively evaluated in this study. The patients were divided into three groups as non-massive, sub-massive, and massive PTE.Results: The results of complete blood counts (CBC) and biochemical analysis were evaluated among three groups. Neutrophil, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), D-dimer, troponin, CRP, albumin, and CAR were significantly different among groups. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, CAR and troponin were determined as the independent predictors of massive PTE. Also, CAR was determined as the only independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with PTE.Conclusions: CAR may be a reliable and easily accessible parameter to determine the severity and prognosis in PTE patients.(Clin. Lab. 2023;69:xx-xx. DOI: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2022.220426)