Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1):119-122 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.081

Relationship of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) as Diagnostics and Prognostics Tools of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Current Status

Zanella Yolanda Lie, Yan Efrata Sembiring
Department of Thoracic, Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
Department of Thoracic, Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, Dr Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia

The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has emerged as a promising biomarker in deep vein thrombosis (DVT), reflecting the intricate relationship between inflammation and thrombosis. This literature review examines NLR's dual role as both a diagnostic and prognostic tool in DVT management. Current evidence demonstrates that elevated NLR (>3.0) correlates strongly with DVT occurrence, severity, and recurrence risk, particularly in high-risk populations such as postoperative and cancer patients. Mechanistically, NLR captures the pro-thrombotic effects of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and the anti-thrombotic regulation by lymphocytes, offering insights into disease pathogenesis. Clinically, NLR enhances diagnostic accuracy when combined with traditional tools like Wells' criteria and outperforms D-dimer in specificity for cancer-associated DVT. Prognostically, NLR >4.0 predicts poorer outcomes including post-thrombotic syndrome and reduced survival in malignancy. While limitations exist regarding standardization and specificity, NLR's cost-effectiveness and routine availability position it as a valuable adjunct in DVT management. Future research should focus on establishing standardized cut-offs and exploring therapeutic implications of NLR monitoring during anticoagulation.

Keywords: Deep vein thrombosis, Diagnostic marker, Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio

Received: May 24, 2025; Revised: May 24, 2025; Accepted: July 8, 2025; Prepublished online: June 2, 2012; Published: March 15, 2026  Show citation

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Lie ZY, Efrata Sembiring Y. Relationship of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) as Diagnostics and Prognostics Tools of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Current Status. Cor Vasa. 2026;68(1):119-122. doi: 10.33678/cor.2025.081.
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