Is mean platelet volume associated with the angiographic severity of coronary artery disease?

Background: Platelet activation and aggregation play key roles both in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and in the development of acute thrombotic events. Platelet volume is a marker of platelet activation and function, and is measured using mean platelet volume (MPV). Aim: To determine the relationship between MPV and angiographic Gensini and SYNTAX scores, which give information about the severity and complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: This study included 435 consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary angiography. The complete blood count and biochemical examination of blood were obtained after 12 h of fasting. The independent association between MPV and the severity of CAD was statistically evaluated using PASW Statistics 18 for Windows. Results: Mean age of the study population was 58.4 +/- 9.3 years, of whom 196 were female (45.1%) and 239 male (54.9%). Of the patients, 63.2% had CAD, 31.7% had diabetes mellitus, 61.8% had hypertension, 56.6% had hyperlipidaemia, and 38.6% were smokers. Mean Gensini score was 20.7 +/- 31.1. According to Gensini scores, 160 of the patients (36.8%) had normal coronary arteries (Gensini score: 0), 134 of the patients (30.8%) had minimal CAD (Gensini score: 1-19), and 141 of them (32.4%) had severe CAD (Gensini score = 20). Mean MPV values were 8.4 +/- 1.0 fL in the group that had no CAD, 8.7 +/- 1.0 fL in the group with minimal CAD, and 9.3 +/- 1.5 fL in the group with severe CAD. According to Spearman correlation analysis, the positive relationship found between MPV and Gensini score was statistically significant (p < 0.001, r = 0.290). Likewise, SYNTAX score was also associated with MPV (p < 0.001, r = 0.504). Conclusions: We determined a positive correlation between MPV and Gensini and SYNTAX scores. Therefore, this simple haematology test can be used in determining cardiovascular disease burden besides other risk factors during routine clinical practice. For further information about this topic, large-scale studies are needed.