Correlation of the coronary severity scores and mean platelet volume in diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: It is known that mean platelet volume (MPV) increases during acute coronary syndrome. However, there are conflicting data about the importance of MPV in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to assess relationship between MVP and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), stable CAD and normal left ventricular ejection fractions.

METHODS: Thirty-three DM and 46 nonDM patients with stable CAD diagnosed by selective coronary angiography were included in the study. All angiographic variables pertinent to Gensini score (GS) and Syntax score (SS) calculation were computed by two experienced interventional cardiologists. All patients underwent echocardiographic examination. MPV and other biochemical markers were measured on admission.

RESULTS: All patients were evaluated and it was found that both scoring systems are correlated with MPV (GS: r = 0.373, p < 0.001; SS: r = 0.385, p < 0.001). DM and nonDM groups were severally evaluated, it was found that the correlation between MPV and GS and SS increased in DM patients (GS: r = 0.638, p < 0.001; SS: r = 0.624, p < 0.001); however, no differences were identified in nonDM patients (GS: r = 0.124, p = 0.410; SS: r = 0.124, p = 0.411).

CONCLUSION: It is thought that high MPV levels may be an effective marker in determining the severity of CAD in patients with DM. And the high MPV level may be related with CAD pathophysiology in DM patients.