Value of thrombopoietin level and platelet size in patients with ischemic stroke

Background Stroke is a disease that affects the blood vessels supplying the brain with interruption of blood flow and thus oxygen delivery to a certain area of the brain, with rapid loss of brain functions. It is the third most common cause of death worldwide, ranking behind heart diseases and all forms of cancers. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the mean platelet volume (MPV) and thrombopoietin (TPO) hormone concentration in patients with acute ischemic stroke and compare this with healthy controls. Patients and methods This study was carried out prospectively on 100 patients with acute ischemic stroke who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and compared with 50 control participants. All patients were recruited to the study within the first 24 h after stroke. MPV and TPO concentrations were measured on admission. Results A high TPO concentration was found in two-third of the patients, whereas no participant in the control group had a high TPO concentration. In addition, high MPV was found in about half of the patients. There was a statistically significant difference in the levels of both MPV and TPO between the patient and the control group, which implies increased megakaryopoiesis and increased platelet activity in acute ischemic stroke.