Mean platelet volume as a potential predictor of renovascular thrombosis after renal transplant

We sought to evaluate the importance of mean platelet volume as a marker to follow-up, the tendency for hemorrhagic diatheses, and/or thrombotic complications in patients before and after renal transplant.

Thirty-four patients (aged, 5 to 18 y) were included. Demographics of the patients, cause of chronic renal failure, dialysis modality, duration of dialysis, arterio-venous fistula thrombosis, and posttransplant immunosuppressive regimens were recorded and laboratory variables were evaluated.

At the end of the first posttransplant month, mean platelet volume level was decreased significantly when compared with pretransplant levels (8.3 ± 1.5 vs 7.7 ± 0.9; P = .04). A significant increase was observed in platelet levels during posttransplant measures (273.750 ± 97.700 vs 318.740 ± 84.586; P = .02). Prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time levels did not differ before and after transplant. None of the patients had any thrombotic events and/or renal allograft loss. A negative correlation was observed between mean platelet volume and C-reactive protein (r=-0.53). Mean platelet volume level was not found to be related to the cause of renal failure, pretransplant dialysis modality, or posttransplant immunosuppressive regimens.

Platelet numbers increased and mean platelet volume decreased after pediatric renal transplant, but the potential for increased thrombosis was not observed.