Measurement of mean platelet volume in the diagnosis of acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease and transient ischemic attack

Mean platelet volume (MPV), an indicator of platelet activation has been shown to be elevated in patients with atherotrombotic diseases and in the early thromboembolic phase of ischemic stroke. But the relationship between transient ischemic attack and mean platelet volume has not sufficiently been investigated yet. This study was designed to investigate the diagnostic value of MPV levels in patients with ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack.We prospectively evaluated 182 patients divided into three subgroups: 88 patients with cortical infarction, 55 patients with lacunar infarction and 39 patients with transient ischemic attack. The study population also included 60 control subjects. The t-test, oneway ANOVA test and correlation analysis were used to evaluate statistical significance and p<0.05 was accepted statistically significant.MPV results were significantly higher in patients with cortical infarction and transient ischemic attack in comparison with control group (p<0.001 and p=0.002, ANOVA). A statistically significant increase in MPV was also noted in hospitalized patients when compared with patients discharged from ED (p=0.036, ANOVA). A weak positive correlation was determined between NIHSS scores and MPV levels (r=0.207, p=0.001). A strong relationship was determined between MPV levels and previous stroke (p=0.005, t-test).The measurement of MPV levels may add useful diagnostic and prognostic information for emergency physicians caring for patients with transient ischemic attack and ischemic stroke. In patients with suspected neurological ischemic symptoms, MPV levels should be considered in the diagnosis.