Abstract

Introduction. Calcification of the aortic valve, the main component of degenerative aortic stenosis (AS), results in turbulent blood flow, higher shear stress and may have an effect on the platelet (PLT) parameters. Platelet function and size, which are easily measured automatically during a complete blood count, are proposed as markers of platelet reactivity and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Material and methods. 143 patients with AS (mean age: 70 ± 13 y., males 76/53%) were enrolled into the study and divided according to the AS severity: severe AS (n = 89; males 43/48.3%; age IQR: 70 [63–75] y.) and non-severe AS (n = 54; males 63/61.1%; age IQR: 70 [62–76] y.). The clinical data were collected and analyzed with special attention being paid to the cardiovascular risk factors, concomitant diseases (coronary artery disease [CAD], diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, obesity). Laboratory tests and echocardiography were assessed in all subjects. Routine admission complete blood cell count was obtained — PLT count, mean PLT volume (MPV), PLT distribution width (PDW) and percentage of giant PLT (giant PLT%) were analyzed. Results. There were no differences between the PLT count, MPV, PDW and giant PLT% when comparing the group with severe AS to the non-severe AS group. Multivariate analysis showed a significant effect of CAD coincidence (β = –0.2, SE = 0.09, p = 0,03) and active smoking (β = –0.2, SE = 0.09, p = 0.03) on the PLT count; obesity (β = 0.2, SE = 0.09, p = 0.03) and CAD (β = –0.2, SE = 0.09, p = 0.03) on MPV; obesity (β = 0.21, SE = 0.09, p = 0.02), thienopyridines (β = 0.19, SE = 0.09, p = 0.03) and LMWH intake (β = 0.21, SE = 0.09, p = 0.02) on PDW; and similarly, obesity (β = 0.23, SE = 0.09, p = 0.01), thienopyridines (β = 0.18, SE = 0.09, p = 0.046) and LMWH intake (β = 0.23, SE = 0.09, p = 0.01) on giant PLT%. Conclusions. Aortic stenosis severity has no effect on PLT count and morphology that are automatically measured. The coincidence of standard cardiovascular risk factors and the CAD effects on the PLT parameters that are established during a standard complete blood count.

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