Article Peripheral Blood Lymphocyte Subsets (CD4+, CD8+ T Cells, NK Cells) in Patients with Cardiovascular and Neurological

Abstract: Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the differences in the circulating immune cells ’ subgroups after the atherosclerotic plaque removal in patients presenting with postoperative complications as compared to the patients without complications after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Methods: Patients with significant carotid atherosclerosis (n = 124, age range: 44 to 87 years) who underwent CEA were enrolled in a prospective study. The immunology study using flow cytometry was performed to determine the percentages of peripheral blood T cells (CD4+, CD8+, Treg—CD4+/CD25+) and NK (natural killer) cells before and after the procedure. The data were expressed as the percentage of total lymphocytes ± the standard error of mean. Results: The mean percentage of lymphocytes (61.54 % ± 17.50 % vs. 71.82 % ± 9.68%, p = 0.030) and CD4 T lymphocytes (T helper, 38.13 % ± 13.78 % vs. 48.39 % ± 10.24%, p = 0.027) was significantly lower six hours after CEA in patients with postoperative 30-day cardiovascular and neurological complications as compared to the group without complications. On the other hand the mean NK level in the group with complications was significantly higher (21.61 % ± 9.00 % vs. 15.80 % ± 9.31%, p = 0.048). Conclusions: Th