Common Thrombotic Disorders Defined by CBC Platelet Parameters

Abstract

The Coulter STKS mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and hematocrit (HCT) are assessed in thrombotic diseases. Complete blood counts (CBCs) were studied retrospectively in 645 consecutive hospital cases and, 850 "CBCs with blood films to the pathologist." Because the MPV and PDW are time dependant, nomograms and tables were created for the 0-25- and 26-40-min elapsed time intervals. In this study, abnormal CBC platelet parameters were found in the majority of patients with common thrombotic diseases, such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, congestive heart failure, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and toxemia. Thrombotic disease-related CBC categories include combined elevated MPV and PDW, elevated MPV or PDW alone, "MCV/MPV mismatch" (failure of physiologic "MCV/MPV match"), rheologic problem of elevated HCT and MPV, and mild thrombocytopenia with decreased MPV and high PDW. Anticoagulants and steroids often decrease the MPV. CBC platelet parameter abnormalities provide a new useful classification of thrombotic diseases in daily practice.