Editorial Comment: Prognostic value of mean platelet volume in patients after acute coronary syndrome

The association of increased mean platelet volume (MPV) with myocardial infarction was recognized decades ago (1). Besides acute coronary syndromes, MPV is also associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolism (2), and in patients with a known history of cerebrovascular disease, it is associated with increased risk of stroke (3). MPV is increased in patients with heart failure (4) or diabetes mellitus (5). In these diseases, the association with thrombotic complications is less pronounced but is still an important contributor to the impaired prognosis of patients. The association of MPV with thrombotic events is not surprising, as platelets with increased MPV are rich in proaggregatory substances and adhesive receptors (6).