Assessment of Plateletcrit as Biomarker in Ischemic Heart Disease Patients

Background: Platelets are crucial in initiating the formation of atherosclerosis and thrombus in ischemic heart disease. Larger platelets are enzymatic and metabolically active and have a higher potential thrombotic ability. Evaluation of their volume indices as indicators of their activity could be valuable in predicting and differentiating different ischemic heart disease (IHD) spectrums. This study aimed to assess plateletcrit (PCT) levels in IHD patients and compare them with healthy subjects. Methods and Results: A cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted in different specialized cardiovascular centers in Khartoum state, Sudan. 95 IHD patients were categorized into two groups. Group 1 included 57 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and Group 2 included 38 patients with chronic stable angina (CSA). The control group (Group 3) included 100 healthy subjects without a history of IHD, who were age—and sex-matched to the patient groups. PCT was measured as part of the full blood count by an automated blood cell analyzer, Sysmex KX-21. Groups 1 and 2 had significantly higher PCT than the normal controls. PCT level was slightly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2. There were no age or gender differences in PCT values in the control group. Conclusion: Plateletcrit should be investigated in patients with IHD, along with other platelet volume indices, to predict the possibility of developing acute coronary events.