Platelet indices and outcome after cardiac arrest

Background: Platelet variables, including platelet distribution width (PDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV), have been associated with outcome in critically ill patients. We evaluated these variables in patients after cardiac arrest (CA). Methods: All adult CA patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) over an 8-year period (2006-2014) and treated with targeted temperature management were included. We retrieved all data concerning CA characteristics as well as platelet count, PDW and MPV on the first 2 days of admission. Unfavorable 3-month neurological outcome was defined as a cerebral performance category score of 3-5. Results: We included 384 patients (age 62 [52-75] years; 270/384 male): 231 patients (60%) died within 30-days and 246 patients (64%) had an unfavorable 3-month neurological outcome. On admission, platelet count, PDW and MPV were 87 [126-261] *10(3)cells/mm(3), 17 [16.3-17.3]% and 8.3 [7.6-9.2] mu m(3), respectively. Platelet count decreased significantly over the first 2 days, whereas PDW and MPV did not change significantly. There were no significant differences between the values on admission or time-courses of platelet count, PDW or MPV between survivors and non-survivors or between patients with unfavorable and favorable neurological outcome. Conclusions: In our cohort of post-CA patients, PDW and MPV were not associated with outcome.