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Published on: October 22, 2014
Plasma viscosity and mean platelet volume in patients undergoing coronary angiography
Kubilay Senen1, Ergun Topal, Evren Kilinc
1Department of Cardiology, Abant Izzet Baysal University Faculty of Medicine, Bolu, Turkey.
Insights
Plasma viscosity correlates with mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients undergoing coronary angiography. This finding suggests a link between plasma proteins, platelet activation, and platelet consumption in cardiovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Hematology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Platelet activation markers and hemorheological indices are implicated in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for managing cardiovascular disease risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma viscosity and platelet indices in patients undergoing coronary angiography.
- To explore potential links between hemorheology and platelet characteristics in coronary artery disease.
Main Methods:
- Included 384 patients undergoing coronary angiography.
- Measured plasma viscosity, routine biochemical markers, and blood cell analyses.
- Classified patients into coronary artery disease (CAD) or normal coronary arteries (NCA) groups based on angiography results.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was found between plasma viscosity and mean platelet volume (MPV) in all patients (r=0.199, p<0.001).
- This correlation persisted in both CAD (r=0.18, p=0.004) and NCA (r=0.272, p=0.002) subgroups.
- Linear regression showed plasma viscosity positively associated with MPV, while platelet number was inversely associated with MPV.
Conclusions:
- MPV correlates with plasma viscosity in patients undergoing coronary angiography, a novel finding.
- This suggests a relationship involving plasma proteins, circulating platelet activation, or peripheral platelet consumption.
- Further controlled studies, including those with acute coronary syndromes, are needed to elucidate this association.
Background:
Markers of platelet activation and haemorrheological indices have been demonstrated to play a role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. In this study, we aimed at investigate the association between plasma viscosity and platelet indices in patients undergoing coronary angiography.
Materials And Methods:
Three hundred and eighty four consecutive patients scheduled to undergo coronary angiography were included in the study. Prior to coronary angiography, blood samples were withdrawn to determine routine biochemical markers, blood cell analyses and viscosity measurements. According to the results of coronary angiography, patients were classified either in a subgroup with coronary artery disease (CAD; 1 or more stenoses >50%) or normal coronary arteries (NCA; no stenoses or <50%).
Results:
There was a statistically significant correlation between plasma viscosity and mean platelet volume levels in all patients undergoing coronary angiography (r=0.199, p<0.001). Additionally, when correlation analysis was performed within each group, plasma viscosity significantly correlated with MPV both in patients with CAD (r=0.18, p=0.004) and in patients with NCAs (r=0.272, p=0.002). Linear regression analysis revealed that plasma viscosity was positively associated with MPV while platelet number was inversely but significantly associated with MPV.
Conclusion:
We have shown for the first time that MPV correlates with plasma viscosity in patients undergoing coronary angiography, suggesting a relation with plasma proteins and activation of circulating platelets or peripheral consumption of platelets. To evaluate this relation further controlled studies also in patients with acute coronary syndromes are warranted.

