The evaluation of platelets parameters in patients with acute coronary syndrome from single cardiac center in northeastern Iraq

Abstract

Background and objectives: Platelets are an important link between inflammation and thrombosis and play a significant role in different stages of atherosclerotic plaque formation. This study aimed to define the correlation between variation in admission platelet parameters and acute coronary syndrome and to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of platelets parameters used. Methods: The study was performed at Sulaimani Cardiac Care Hospital and Sulaimani Public Health Lab. One hundred cases of diagnosed acute coronary syndrome; ST elevation myocardial infarction, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, and unstable angina were included and compared with 100 apparently healthy subjects. Participants were enrolled after taking a detailed history and complete blood count to assess the platelets parameters. Results: A significantly lower admission mean platelets count was found in patients (252x 109/l ± 81.3) than in control (291x109/l ± 67.6). The mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width and plateletcrit of the patients were all significantly higher. Furthermore, a significant correlation was detected between acute coronary syndrome with mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width. The risk of acute coronary syndrome rose up to approximately 9 times among patients with high mean platelet volume. Moreover, mean platelet volume showed a high sensitivity (88%) and specificity (89%) to detect patients with acute coronary syndrome, unlike platelet crit and platelet distribution width that were of lesser sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions: Admission platelets parameters are readily available laboratory tests, and are of merit in identifying acute coronary syndrome patients.