Open AccessMean Platelet Volume as a Diagnostic Marker for Cardiovascular Disease
Author(s) -
Marcus D. Lancé,
Matthijs Sloep,
Yvonne Henskens,
Marco A. E. Marcus
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
clinical and applied thrombosis/hemostasis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.643
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1938-2723
pISSN - 1076-0296
DOI - 10.1177/1076029612458147
Subject(s) - mean platelet volume , platelet , medicine , standardization , risk factor , disease , cardiology , intensive care medicine , immunology , computer science , operating system
After the first description of platelets more than a century ago, the knowledge about their origin and function grew continuously. The development of the impedance method as a completely automated assay allowed integrating mean platelet volume (MPV) measurement as a routine parameter of the complete blood count. This enabled us to focus more on the association of platelet function and size. Since then, many authors described MPV as a marker of platelet reactivity and risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Hence, the preanalytical variability of this parameter is known from its introduction as standard laboratory value. Unfortunately no preanalytical standards have been implemented. This review shows the high variability in the literature with MPV as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. After a brief description of the biology of platelets, we provide an in-depth survey of the measurement methods and their drawbacks. Finally, we propose a possible approach to standardization.