Prognostic Value of HALP Score in Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis: A Long-Term Follow-up Study.

The HALP score showed modest but statistically significant predictive performance for MACCE in rheumatic mitral stenosis patients.

• AUC = 0.644, p = 0.037 on receiver operating characteristic analysis
• Optimal cut-off value was 35.65
• Sensitivity of 60.4% and specificity of 38.1% at the optimal cut-off
• Study included 169 patients with RMS analyzed retrospectively

Patients with lower HALP scores had a significantly higher incidence of MACCE over long-term follow-up.

• Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed log-rank p = 0.015
• Median follow-up period was 124 months (IQR: 96-148)
• Primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE)

The HALP score was not identified as an independent predictor of MACCE in multivariable analysis.

• Cox regression multivariable analysis yielded p = 0.076 for the HALP score
• The result suggests confounding by other clinical and echocardiographic parameters
• The HALP score incorporates hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet values

The HALP score is proposed as a simple and cost-effective complementary tool for risk stratification in RMS patients.

• Authors recommend the HALP score be interpreted alongside established clinical and echocardiographic parameters
• Its prognostic value appears limited when used alone
• The score was assessed using ROC analysis, Cox regression, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis