Mean Platelet Component to Measure Platelet Activation in Ischemic Stroke: Preliminary Study

Kim, Don Soo; Ryu, Seung Hwa; Lee, Jong Wook; Kim, Yong Duk; Choi, Young Chul

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Abnormal platelet activation has been identified in several disorders characterizedby vascular patholo-gy including coronary artery disease, Alzheimer disease, myeloproliferative disorders, diabetes, preeclampsia, inflam-matory bowel disease and glomerular disease. Antiplatelet therapy has been valuable in the management of some of these conditions. The aim of this study is to verify usefulness of mean platelet component (MPC) concentration as a marker of thrombotic process in patients with cerebral infarction. Our hypothesis is that MPC as measured by the ADVIA(R) 120 hematology system is used to detect and monitor platelet activation associated with thrombotic process of ischemic stroke.
METHODS
To study the existence of platelet activation at the onset of cerebral infarction, mean platelet concentration of platelets were measured daily during post-stroke 10 days. Thirty-four acute thrombotic cerebral infarction and seventeen age-matched healthy persons were selected for this study. To investigate the time course of the platelet MPC changes observed in stroke patients, the blood samplings for MPC measuring were done and analyzed on the ADVIA 120(R) system.
RESULTS
There was a statistically significant decrease in MPC concentration of the platelets at post-stroke 3rd to 7th day compared to the control group ( p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that a reduction of MPC as measured by the ADVIA 120(R) hematology system may be used to detect and monitor thrombotic process associated with platelet activation in ischemic stroke.