Platelet Indices as a Marker of Severity in Non-diabetic NonHypertensive Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients.

BACKGROUND

Platelet activation & aggregation are critical in pathogenesis of acute ischemic stroke. Mean platelet volume (MPV) & Platelet distribution width (PDW) are markers & determinants of platelet function. Larger platelets are metabolically more active, produce more prothrombotic factors, aggregate more easily & act as index of homeostasis and its dysfunction thrombosis.

MATERIAL

We studied 70 non diabetic non hypertensive ischemic stroke patients without previous thrombotic events & not on anti platelet medications within 24 hour of onset of symptoms & compared with equal number of age and sex matched controls. Severity of stroke was calculated by Canadian neurological scale (CNS).Platelet indices were obtained from SYSMEX KX-21.

OBSERVATION

Mean age of patients was 55 ± 7.11 and of controls was 52 ± 5.37. According to CNS patients were divided in two groups; with comprehension deficit (1st group, 32 patients) & without comprehension deficit (2nd group, 38 patients).Mean value for PDW & MPV in 1st group was 18.675 ± 3.494 & 12.894 ± 1.270 respectively and in 2nd group was 18.62 ± 3.387 & 12.42 ± 0.984 respectively and was significantly higher than mean value of 15.694 ± 3.127 & 10.46 ± 1.273 of PDW & MPV respectively in controls. In both study groups PDW & MPV was found to be significantly associated with severity of motor deficit.

CONCLUSION

In patients of ischemic stroke platelet indices may be used for predicting severity of motor deficit. Although larger sample size and multivariate analysis is required before this can be used regularly in clinical practice.