Platelet distribution width and plateletcrit: novel biomarkers of ST elevation myocardial infarction in young patients

Abstract

Background: Platelets play a central role in myocardial infarction, and platelet activity can be evaluated with platelet indices, including platelet distribution width (PDW) and plateletcrit (PCT). These indices have been demonstrated as markers of prothrombotic state in cardiovascular diseases.

Aim: Therefore, we aimed to investigate, the usefulness of these biomarkers in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in young patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of 565 subjects who were classified into three groups: group 1 (168 young patients with STEMI), group 2 (173 non-young patients with STEMI), and group 3 (224 age-matched controls with angiographically normal coronary arteries). Male patients aged under 45 years and female patients aged under 55 years were defined as young STEMI.

Results: In group 1, PDW and PCT (17.2 ± 0.67, 0.249 ± 0.05, respectively) were significantly higher than the other groups (group 2, 16.4 ± 0.56, 0.231 ± 0.04; group 3, 15.1 ± 0.63, 0.227 ± 0.04). PDW and PCT had moderate negative correlation (r = –0.305, r = –0.330, respectively) with age and moderate positive correlation with peak creatine kinase MB (r = 0.259, r = 0.320, respectively). At multivariate analysis, adjusted for other factors, 1 fL increase in PDW levels was 13.5% more likely to be associated with young STEMI, and similarly, a 1% increase in PCT levels was 18.9% more likely associated with young STEMI.

Conclusions: Platelet distribution width and plateletcrit levels seem to be independent markers of STEMI in young patients and may reflect prothrombotic state in this specific population.