[The effect of admission mean platelet volume on TIMI frame count measured after fibrinolytic therapy in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction].

Objectives: Mean platelet volume has been reported as a predictor of unfavorable prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI). We evaluated the relationship between admission mean platelet volume and the response to fibrinolytic therapy using the TIMI frame count in patients with acute ST-segment elevation MI.

Study Design: The study included 87 patients (58 males, 29 females; mean age 55+/-11 years) who received fibrinolytic therapy within the first 12 hours of symptom onset for acute ST-segment elevation MI. Venous blood samples were obtained to determine admission mean platelet volume and fibrinolytic therapy was administered. Coronary angiography was performed within the first 72 hours and the TIMI frame count was measured for infarct-related artery. TIMI frame counts of <40 and >or=40 were defined as complete and incomplete reperfusion, respectively.

Results: Reperfusion was complete in 35 patients (40.2%) and incomplete in 52 patients (59.8%). The mean TIMI frame counts were 31.8+/-5.9 and 61.2+/-15.3 in patients with complete and incomplete reperfusion, respectively (p<0.01). Patients with complete reperfusion had a significantly lower mean platelet volume (9.4+/-0.4 fl vs. 9.7+/-0.3 fl; p=0.016). There was a highly significant correlation between mean platelet volume and incomplete reperfusion (r=0.742, p<0.0001).

Conclusion: High levels of admission mean platelet volume might be associated with insufficient reperfusion response to fibrinolytic therapy in patients with acute ST-segment elevation MI.