Mean platelet volume is elevated in patients with patent foramen ovale

Abstract

IntroductionPlatelets play a major role in thromboembolic events. Increased mean platelet volume (MPV) indicates higher platelet reactivity and also a tendency to thrombosis. Patent foramen ovale (PFO), persistence of the fetal anatomic shunt between right and left atria, is strongly associated with cryptogenic stroke. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between MPV and PFO and if such an association exists, whether higher MPV levels may require antiplatelet therapy before a thromboembolic event happens, together with a literature review.Material and methodsThirty patients (15 women, 15 men), free of any cerebrovascular events, were diagnosed with PFO by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), enrolled as the study group. Thirty consecutive patients (16 women and 14 men), who were diagnosed as normal in TEE, were enrolled as the control group. These two groups were compared according to MPV and anatomical features of the right atrium.ResultsThere was no significant difference between study and control groups in clinical features and also no difference was observed in platelet counts; however, MPV in the PFO group was significantly higher than the control group (8.38 ±0.93 fl and 7.45 ±0.68 fl respectively).ConclusionsOur results indicate that elevated MPV may be detected in patients with PFO. This might be one of the explanations for the relationship between PFO and cryptogenic stroke; however, larger cohorts are warranted in order to define further mechanisms.

Assessment of Morphology of Patent Foramen Ovale with Transesophageal Echocardiography in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Patients

“…[10][11][12] Furthermore, the mean platelet volume was asserted to be greater in PFO cases. 13,14 In addition, the prevalence of deep venous thrombosis was also stated to be elevated in PFO and CS patients. 15 Moreover, pelvic vein thrombosis was noted to be more common in CS patients in Paradoxical Emboli from Large Veins in Ischemic Stroke (PELVIS) trial.…”

The value of serum mean platelet volume in testicular torsion

“…21,22 Furthermore, an increase in the MPV has also been observed in conditions like patent foramen ovale, myocardial infarction, and cerebral infarction. [23][24][25] Therefore, increased MPV values have been considered a vascular risk factor. This current study found no significant difference between the two study groups with respect to platelet count and there was no correlation between MPV and platelet count.…”

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and platelet to lymphocyte ratio are associated with cryptogenic stroke in patients with patent foramen ovale

“…Other parameters such as the morphology of PFO, presence of septal aneurysm, and deep venous thrombosis are sought before PFO closure to reduce recurrent stroke risk [5,6]. Inflammation is related with an increased risk of thrombosis [13,19]. To date, the association between NLR and PLR, which are markers of inflammation, atherosclerosis, and stroke, have not been evaluated in patients with PFO.…”

“…Hence, the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is suggested as an inflammation marker of stroke [12]. Similarly, platelet activation contributes to the inflammation, and consequently relative thrombocytosis and initiation and progression of atherosclerosis [12,13]. Recent studies have demonstrated higher platelet to lymphocyte (PLR) values in patients with stroke [14].…”