Association of Mean Platelet Volume with Risk Factors and Functional Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background  Stroke is the second leading cause of death in the world and a major cause of disability, with ischemic stroke contributing to 87% of all strokes. Platelets are central in the formation of thrombus, and in the process, they enlarge in size, become active, and secrete prothrombotic factors. This is supported by the presence of large platelets in ischemic stroke, where they may be implicated in the pathogenesis of vessel occlusion, leading to stroke. The mean platelet volume (MPV) is an important laboratory marker of platelet function and activation. Materials and Methods  The present study was conducted to assess the role of MPV in the pathogenesis, severity, and outcome of ischemic stroke. It was an observational study in 100 acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients (excluding cardioembolic stroke) admitted to the Medicine wards, Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, a tertiary care hospital at Aligarh. The MPV was correlated with the conventional risk factors of ischemic stroke and outcome (using modified Rankin scale [mRS]). The study revealed statistically significant correlation between MPV and hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT). Also, the MPV at presentation positively correlated with mRS (correlation coefficient 0.818); thus, high MPV was associated with more severe disability. Conclusion  The MPV at the time of presentation of ischemic stroke may be useful in predicting the severity of stroke and neurological recovery. However, a larger study including diverse population is required to endorse its predictive value in AIS.