Current Opinion: Mean Platelet Volume Is One of the Most Important Parameters at the First Glance

Dear Editor, We read with great interest the article ‘Mean platelet volume is increased in infective endocarditis and decreases after treatment’ [1] . The authors showed that elevated mean platelet volume (MPV) values indicated that patients with infective endocarditis had increased platelet activation and infective endocarditis treatment decreased the platelet activation by decreasing MPV. It is known that procoagulant changes in platelet activity may be considered in patients with infective endocarditis due to inflammation [2] . This inflammation-induced hypercoagulability may lead to embolization, one of the major causes of death. MPV is a marker routinely provided by a full blood count analyzer, it correlates with platelet function and activation [3] . MPV also indicates the function of platelets, which is central to processes that are involved in coronary heart disease pathophysiology and endothelial dysfunction [4] . It has also been related to diabetes mellitus, peripheral artery disease, atrial fibrillation, previous surgical history, trauma, cancer, immobilization, medications such as anticoagulant therapy, statins, and other platelet dysfunctions [5] . On the other hand, inflammation plays a major role in the pathogenesis of Received: June 17, 2013 Accepted: July 11, 2013 Published online: August 29, 2013