Is the hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score a novel biomarker for predicting mortality in patients with middle cerebral artery infarctions undergoing mechanical thrombectomy?

Background: The hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score, easily calculated parameter, indicating systemic inflammation and nutritional status INTRODUCTION: In this study, we used the HALP score in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) to predict 90-day mortality.

Method: 122 patients with AIS who underwent either MT or MT and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for middle cerebral artery (MCA) M1 occlusion. The HALP score was calculated, demographic data, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, and mortality status in retrospectively reviewed. The effectiveness of the HALP score in predicting mortality within 90 days was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic ( ROC) curves. The optimal cutoff value for HALP was 13.10.

Results: A HALP score <13.10 increased the risk of death within 90 days and was associated with a higher incidence of large artery thrombosis. Cardioembolism and hyperlipidemia were more common in patients with high (>13) HALP scores. In addition to the HALP score, the length of hospital stay, 24-h National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (NIHSS), number of days of intubation, acute physiologic assessment and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score, and symptom-to-groin time were statistically significant risk factors for mortality within 90 days.

Discussion: The HALP score is an easily calculated, inexpensive, and noninvasive parameter that can be used to predict mortality in patients with MCA M1 occlusion undergoing reperfusion therapy. Low HALP scores indicate a poor prognosis. Thus, there is a relationship between the HALP score and survival.