Mean Platelet Volume-to-Platelet Count Ratio, Mean Platelet Volume-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Red Blood Cell Distribution Width-Platelet Count Ratio as Markers of Inflammation in Patients with Ascending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

OBJECTIVE: Ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (ATAA), seen in adults, is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the levels of mean platelet volume (MPV), mean platelet volume-to-platelet count ratio (MPVPCR), mean platelet volume-to-lymphocyte ratio (MPVLR), and red cell distribution width platelet count ratio (RDWPCR) in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm. METHODS: 105 patients admitted to the emergency department were diagnosed with thoracic aortic aneurysm between January and December 2014, and 100 healthy individuals were involved in this retrospective study. MPV, MPVLR, MPVPCR and RDWPCRs were calculated at the time of admission. RESULTS: Platelet and lymphocyte levels were found to be significantly lower in the patient group when compared to the healthy group (P<0.001, P<0.001, respectively), while MPV, MPVPCR, MPVLR and RDWPCR were found to be significantly higher (P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, and P=0.013, respectively). In the patient group, the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was significantly higher (P<0.001), and the neutrophil (P=0.062) was also higher. In ROC analysis, MPVPCR had the highest sensitivity (80%) and RDWPCR had the highest specificity (72%). CONCLUSION: The results for MPV, MPVPCR, MPVLR and RDWPCR can be evaluated as useful parameters in the emergency clinical approach in the evaluation of inflammatory activity in ATAA patients. More extensive studies are required to address the role of these parameters in determining the severity of the disease.