Mean Platelet Volume as a Diagnostic Marker for Cardiovascular Disease Drawbacks of Preanalytical Conditions and Measuring Techniques

• Published in: Clinical and applied thrombosis/hemostasis Vol. 18; no. 6; pp. 561 - 568
• Main Authors: Lancé, Marcus D., Sloep, Matthijs, Henskens, Yvonne M. C., Marcus, Marco A. E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.11.2012
• Subjects: Biomarkers - blood; Blood Cell Count - methods; Blood Cell Count - standards; Blood Platelets - metabolism; Blood Platelets - pathology; Cardiovascular Diseases - blood; Cardiovascular Diseases - diagnosis; Humans; Risk Factors; review; platelet size; mean platelet volume
• ISSN: 1076-0296; 1938-2723; 1938-2723
• DOI: 10.1177/1076029612458147

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.