Coronary Artery Ectasia is Associated with the Elevation of Mean Platelet Volume Regardless of an Existing Acute Coronary Syndrome

Objective: Elevated mean platelet volume (MPV) has been considered as an indicator of enhanced platelet reactivity. In several studies, MPV has been shown to be elevated in the setting of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and coronary artery ectasia (CAE). In this study we aimed to investigate the potential effects of CAE on MPV regardless of an existing acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: Two independent operator retrospectively reviewed the records of 12,724 patients who had previously (between the years 2000 and 2011) undergone coronary angiography in the catheterization laboratory. The present study comprised an overall 337 patients including 112 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) (group 1), 112 patients with ACS (group 2) and 113 patients with isolated CAE (without ACS) (group 3). Results: The values of mean ages were 52.3 +/- 5.6; 52.5 +/- 5.7 and 49.7 +/- 3.8 in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p< 0.001). Cardiovascular risk factors and hemoglobin levels did not significantly differ among groups. Mean platelet levels in groups 2 and 3 (244.8 +/- 28.3, 239.1 +/- 28.8, respectively) were found to be significantly lower than that of group 1 (276.4 +/- 0.69) (p< 0.001) whereas mean levels of MPV in groups 2 and 3 (9,09 +/- 1.07fL, 9.06 +/- 1.07fL, respectively) were found to be significantly higher than that of group 1 (8,56 +/- 1.28fL) (p< 0.001). Conclusion: Nothwithstanding the similar cardiovascular risk factors and admission patterns suggestive of a common etiopathological background among these 3 entities, MPV levels may be more likely to be elevated in the setting of ACSs and isolated CAE (regardless of an existing ACS) compared to stable CAD.