Abstract:

Aim: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy or dysplasia (ARVC/D) is characterized by the gradual replacement of the right ventricular myocardium with fibrous and adipose tissue and can cause ventricular tachyarrhythmia in young patients. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is reported to be an easily measurable marker reflecting platelet activation and plays an important role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disorders. In this study, we aimed to assess MPV in patients with ARVC/D. Methods: Twenty-nine patients (23 men, age: 38.0±13.1 years) with ARVC/D and forty-one healthy subjects (30 men, age: 39.3±11.8 years) were studied. Plasma MPV was measured in ARVC/D patients and control subjects. Results: The MPV was higher in patients with ARVC/D when compared with the control group (9.87±1.0 vs. 8.2±1.1 fl, p<0.01). To investigate any possible connection between MPV and clinical presentation of ARVC/D, ARVC/D patients were separated into two groups according to the presence of syncope and sudden cardiac death (SCD). MPV was higher in ARVC/D patients with SCD compared to those without cardiac arrest, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our results suggest that patients with ARVC/D have increased platelet activation.

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