Relationship Between Mean Platelet Volume and Pulmonary Embolism in Patients With Deep Vein Thrombosis

Background Mean platelet volume (MPV) has been demonstrated to be associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, its role in the prediction of pulmonary embolism (PE), which is a major complication of DVT, is still unclear. Therefore, we investigated the association of MPV values with acute PE in patients with DVT. Method The study included three groups: patients with DVT and PE (n = 98); patients with DVT without PE (n = 97); and control group (No DVT, No PE, n = 98). We also evaluated DVT patients according to the MPV values on admission and categorised them into two groups: MPV <= 9.15 fL (n = 82) and MPV > 9.15 fL (n = 113). Results MPV was significantly higher in all DVT patients than controls (9.3 +/- 0.9 fL vs 7.9 +/- 0.7 fL, p < 0.001) and in DVT patients with PE than DVT patients without PE (9.9 +/- 0.6 fL vs 8.7 +/- 0.7 fL, p < 0.001). The rate of PE was higher in patients with DVT with MPV > 9.15 fL than those with MVP <= 9.15 fL (75.2% vs 15.9%, p < 0.001). The presence of PE in patients with DVT was independently associated with MPV (OR: 22.19, 95% CI: 9.39-53.19, P < 0.001). Conclusion Although our findings should be considered within the limitations of the study, they suggest that MPV measures may be elevated in DVT patients and a higher MPV may be associated with PE in patients with DVT.