Background and purpose: Increased mean platelet volume (MPV), indicating higher platelet reactivity, is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction. Higher levels of MPV have been found in patients with acute ischemic stroke than in control subjects. Data from smaller studies regarding an association between MPV and stroke severity and outcome have been controversial. If such an association exists, MPV might help to identify patients at increased risk of a severe course of acute cerebrovascular disease.
Methods: Within a multicenter, cross-sectional study nested in a cohort, we analyzed the relation between MPV and stroke severity as determined by the modified Rankin Scale after 1 week in 776 patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. By multivariate logistic regression modeling, we determined the influence of MPV on stroke severity, adjusting for potential confounding factors.
Results: Patients within the highest quintile of MPV had a significantly higher risk of suffering a severe stroke, defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 3 to 6, compared with patients within the lowest quintile (odds ratio=2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.6 to 4.1; P<0.001). This association remained significant after adjustment for possible confounding factors (odds ratio=2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 4.0; P=0.013).
Conclusions: Our results indicate that an elevated MPV is associated with a worse outcome for acute ischemic cerebrovascular events independent of other clinical parameters.