Role of mean platelet volume in a patient with ischemic stroke: A cross sectional study

Background: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus, both of which increase the risk of vascular disease, are associated with an increase in platelet size.The larger platelets have more dense granules, have more powerful activity and hence more prone to thrombosis than smaller platelets.A newly emerging risk factor for atherosclerosis is MPV, a predictor of platelet function. It is an index of platelet size & correlates positively with platelet activation. There is paucity of studies in our setting hence we have undertaken this research to see if there was any association in an Indian population. Methods: Present study was cross sectional in nature conducted among 134ischemic stroke patients. All patients fulfilling inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria were taken up for the study. Study was carried out over a period of 1.5 years. Results: Majority of the patients was in the age group of 40-60 years and most of them were male. Association of mean platelet volume & risk factor has shown that diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with reduced platelet volume while alcohol addiction & hyperlipidemia were associated with increased platelet volume (p<0.05). Other risk factors i.e. CHD was associated with reduced mean platelet volume while smoking & HTN were associated with increased platelet volume but the association was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: There was association between increased MPV & the risk of ischemic stroke