Mean platelet volume as an indicator of disease in patients with acute pulmonary embolisms

Abstract

Objective: Meanplatelet volume (MPV) is a simple and easy method of assessing plateletfunction in routine clinical practice. MPV is an important predictor of manydiseases; large platelets are more active than small platelets, and they are associated with shortened bleedingtimes. The data concerning MPV in pulmonary embolism are controversial.Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate MPV levels and platelet numbers inpatients with acute pulmonary embolisms.Materials and Methods: This retrospectivestudy was conducted in the emergency department of the Medical Faculty Hospital of Yuzuncu Yil University between January 2010 and April 2012. The study enrolled 67 patientswith acute PE (36 females and 31 males) and 53 healthy controls (31 femalesand 22 males). Theplatelet number and MPV values in patients with acute pulmonary embolism were reviewed. Results: There were no statisticallysignificant differences between the acute PE patients and the controls withrespect to the MPV values and platelet numbers (both, p>0.05). The MPV values wereinversely correlated with the platelet number in the patients with acute PE (r:0.388; p<0.001). Conclusion: These resultssuggest that MPV is not a reliable indicator for diagnosing acute pulmonaryembolism. Further studies are necessaryto confirm these findings.