The relationship between acute ischemic stroke and mean platelet volume

Platelets have a crucial role on vascular disease which involved in pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a marker of platelet activity and shows size of platelets. Large platelets contain more dense granules and produce more serotonin and betatromboglobulin (β-TG) than small platelets. In this study, it was investigated that alteration of MPV values in patients with acute stroke, after 7 further days and before anytime. It was evaluated relationship between this alteration and risk factors, biochemical parameters, etiology and localization of ischemic stroke. Sixty-seven patients enrolled into the study who were determinated modified Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification for etiology, modified Bamford classification for localization and stroke risk factors, with established diagnoses of ischemic stroke with clinically and radiologically. We performed platelet counts and MPV values in patients with before stroke (at examination for an other disease), stroke within 24 hours of symptom onset and after 7 further days. Although there was no significant statistically difference between platelet counts of acute stroke group (248.39 ± 84.97) and after stroke group (249.57 ± 79.48), MPV values increased after stroke (10.34 ± 2.04) compared with acute stroke values (9.70 ± 1.61) (p<0.0001). We compared this alteration of MPV values with risk factors. Patients with peripheral arterial disease, smoking cigarette and cardiac thrombus in echocardiography had higher alteration of MPV compared with who had no history of these risk factors (p¬=0.02, p¬=0.039, p¬=0.044). MPV values increased after stroke (10.59±2.26) compared with acute stroke values (9.84± 1.64) and before stroke (9.59± 1.72) (p < 0.0001); this alteration of MPV values occured stroke after 7 further days (p < 0.016). There was a positive correlation between age and MPV values of acute stroke (r=0270; p<0.05). Patients with atrial fibrillation had higher alteration of MPV compared with had no history of atrial fibrillation (p>0.006). When appraised difference of sexuality, women (n=29) had higher increased of MPV values compared with men (n=38) (p=0.013). In conclusion, although there was no alteration of platelet counts, MPV values were increased.