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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function
Published on: November 8, 2024
High platelet volume and increased risk of myocardial infarction: 39,531 participants from the general population
J Klovaite1, M Benn, S Yazdanyar
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry and the Copenhagen General Population Study, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.
Background:
Active platelets are large and contribute to development of myocardial infarction (MI). Platelet size is measured automatically as mean platelet volume (MPV) together with platelet count.
Objectives:
We tested the hypothesis that increased MPV is associated with risk of MI in the general population independent of known cardiovascular risk factors.
Methods:
We examined 39,531 men and woman from the Danish general population (the Copenhagen General Population Study), of whom 1300 developed MI.
Results:
After multifactorial adjustment for known cardiovascular risk factors, risk of MI was increased by 37% (95% CI, 18-59%) in the middle and 30% (12-52%) in the upper vs. the lower tertile of MPV. Compared with the 1st quintile of MPV, there was corresponding increased risk of MI of 13% (-7% to 39%), 35% (11-64%), 31% (8-59%) and 29% (6-57%) in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th quintile, respectively. Similar values for octiles were increases in MI risk of -3% (-25% to 26%), 15% (-10% to 46%), 31% (1- 69%), 32% (5-68%), 31% (2-67%), 27% (-1% to 62%) and 26% (-1% to 61%), respectively, in the 2nd through to the 8th octile vs. the 1st octile of MPV. Use of antiplatelet therapy did not modify these risk estimates. Finally, in prospective, multifactorially adjusted analyses, risk of MI increased by 38% (8-75%) in individuals with MPV ≥ 7.4 vs. < 7.4 fL.
Conclusions:
Increased MPV is associated with increased risk of MI independent of known cardiovascular risk factors.
Insights
Increased mean platelet volume (MPV), a measure of platelet size, is linked to a higher risk of myocardial infarction (MI). This association holds true even when accounting for other cardiovascular risk factors in the general population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hematology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Platelet size, quantified by mean platelet volume (MPV), is an indicator of platelet activation.
- Active platelets are larger and play a role in the development of myocardial infarction (MI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between increased MPV and the risk of MI in the general population.
- To determine if this association is independent of established cardiovascular risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 39,531 individuals in the Copenhagen General Population Study.
- Prospective follow-up to identify 1300 cases of MI.
Main Results:
- Higher MPV levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of MI after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors.
- Risk of MI increased progressively across tertiles, quintiles, and octiles of MPV.
- MPV remained a significant predictor of MI risk, with a 38% increase in risk for MPV ≥ 7.4 fL.
Conclusions:
- Elevated MPV is an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction.
- MPV measurement can contribute to cardiovascular risk assessment.
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