Clinical Value of Platelet Indices in Premature Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

Platelets play an important role in the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease. However, the clinical value of platelet indices in premature coronary heart disease remains largely unknown.

Consecutive patients referred for coronary angiography were evaluated (n = 1675). Patients were stratified into premature coronary heart disease (n = 679, age < 55 for male and age < 65 for female), late-onset coronary heart disease (n = 772, age ≥ 55 for male and age ≥ 65 for female), and control (n = 224, age < 55 for male and age < 65 for female). Their clinical and laboratory parameters were collected. The relationship between platelet indices and premature coronary artery disease was analyzed.

In univariate analysis, platelet indices showed no significant association with the presence of premature coronary heart disease (P > 0.05). After adjustment for traditional risk factors, mean platelet volume (0.823 [0.683-0.993], P = 0.042) and platelet-large cell ratio (0.976 [0.954-0.999], P = 0.040) were negatively correlated with the presence of premature coronary heart disease. The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio was statistically significant among different numbers of coronary lesions (P = 0.035). In subgroup analysis, platelet-large cell ratio (1.190 [1.010-1.403], P = 0.038) was an independent risk factor of coronary restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Platelet indices were associated with the prevalence, severity, and coronary restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention suggesting their possible clinical application in premature coronary heart disease.