Mean platelet volume as an indicator of disease in patients with acute pulmonary embolisms

Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a simple and easy method of assessing platelet function in routine clinical practice. The data concerning MPV in pulmonary embolism are controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate MPV levels and platelet numbers in patients with acute pulmonary embolisms. This retrospective study was conducted in the emergency department of the Medical Faculty Hospital of Yuzuncu Yil University between January 2010 and April 2012. The study enrolled 67 patients with acute PE (36 females and 31 males) and 53 healthy controls (31 females and 22 males). The platelet number and MPV values in patients with acute pulmonary embolism were reviewed. There were no statistically significant differences between the acute PE patients and the controls with respect to the MPV values and platelet numbers (both, p>0.05). The MPV values were inversely correlated with the platelet number in the patients with acute PE (r:0.388; p<0.001). These results suggest that MPV is not a reliable indicator for diagnosing acute pulmonary embolism. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings.