Mean Platelet Volume in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) including acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina is becoming more prevalent worldwide. Activated platelets play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic lesions and their complications. Platelet indices including Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), Platelet large cell ratio (PLCR) and Platelet distribution width (PDW) are indirect measures of activated platelets. Previous studies have shown MPV as an independent variable for prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Objective: To evaluate the platelet count and platelet volume indices in patients with acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina and study their usefulness as predictive factors for risk of ACS. Material & Methods: A case control comparative study was conducted including 87 patients of Acute coronary syndrome and 90 age and sex matched normal healthy controls. Platelet count and platelet volume indices including MPV, PLCR, PDW of both the groups were estimated by SYSMEX KX21 hematology autoanalyzer. Results were tabulated and Statistical analysis was done using SPSS16 version statistical software. Results: MPV of 10.03±1.04fL, Platelet count of 250±89x109/L, LCR of 26.4±8.9, PDW of 12.9±2.7 were observed in ACS group. Statistically significant difference was observed for MPV of ACS and control groups with p value of 0.025. There was no significant difference of Platelet count, P-LCR and PDW among study and control groups. Conclusions: MPV is significantly higher in ACS patients than controls. MPV is simple, cost-effective tool that can be done along with biochemical cardiac markers to predict an impending adverse event in cardiovascular diseases.