Mean platelet volume is associated with aortic intima-media thickness in patients without clinical manifestation of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Objective: Mean platelet volume (MPV) plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic disease. Thoracic aortic intima-media thickness (IMT) was reported as an earlier marker of preclinical atherosclerosis than carotid IMT. However, the relationship between MPV and aortic IMT was not investigated. We aimed to assess the relationship between thoracic aortic IMT and MPV in patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination for different indications. Methods: We studied 190 patients (mean age 37.0±12.5 years) who underwent TEE for different indications. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the median thoracic aortic IMT values (IMT low group ≤13 mm and IMT high group >13 mm). Platelet count and MPV were analyzed with an automated hematology analyzer. Results: The highest MPV values were observed in the IMT high group compared with the IMT low group (9.5±10 fL vs. 10.9±1.2 fL, p<0.001). Also, the IMT high group had higher age, hs-CRP, and uric acid levels (p<0.05 for all). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that aortic IMT was independently related with age (β=0.340, p<0.001), uric acid (β=0.111, p=0.041), hs-CRP (β=0.200, p<0.001), and MPV (β=0.482, p<0.001). Conclusion: MPV is independently related to the extent of subclinical thoracic aortic atherosclerosis. Increases in MPV may be a crucial biochemical marker for initial atherosclerosis. (Anadolu Kardiyol Derg 2014; 14(0): 000-000)