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Platelet distribution width-a prognosis marker in patients with chronic heart failure
Ana Neves1, Rita Gouveia1, Sérgio Madureira1
1Internal Medicine Department, Unidade Local de Saúde São João, Porto, Portugal.
Porto Biomedical Journal
|January 9, 2025
Summary
High platelet distribution width (PDW) levels are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). This finding suggests PDW can aid in risk stratification for chronic HF patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hematology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Platelet distribution width (PDW) predicts adverse outcomes in acute myocardial infarction and acute heart failure (HF).
- The prognostic value of PDW in chronic HF remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between PDW levels and all-cause mortality in patients with chronic HF.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 766 outpatients with chronic HF and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD).
- Multivariable Cox regression was used to assess the relationship between PDW and mortality, adjusting for clinical factors and biomarkers.
- Exclusion criteria included missing PDW data or preserved/recovered ejection fraction.
Main Results:
- The median PDW was 13.5 fL. During a median follow-up of 49 months, 48.6% of patients died.
- Patients with PDW ≥ 14.3 fL had a 32% higher risk of all-cause death (HR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.05-1.64) compared to those with lower PDW.
- This association remained significant after multivariate adjustment.
Conclusions:
- Elevated PDW (≥ 14.3 fL) is an independent predictor of mortality in chronic HF patients.
- PDW offers a practical, inexpensive, and accessible parameter for risk stratification in chronic HF.
- Clinicians can utilize PDW to better identify high-risk individuals within a chronic HF population.
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