Decreased Blood Platelet Volume and Count in Patients with Liver Disease

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Mean platelet volume (MPV) and count (PLT) were assessed in patients with moderately affected liver function. PLT was significantly decreased in patients with liver disease (197 .cntdot. 109 l-1 .+-. 87 (SD), n = 79) compared with that of controls (273 .cntdot. 109 l-1 .+-. 53 (SD), n = 37, P < 0.001). MPV in patients with liver disease (9.25 .+-. 1.14 fl) was significantly lower than that of controls (10.52 .+-. 0.74 fl, P < 0.001). In control subjects MPV and PLT were inversely correlated (r = -0.48, P < 0.01), but statistical significance was not found in patients with liver disease (r = -0.2, 0.05 < P < 0.1). Low MPV and PLT are compatible with an intravascular activation (loss of granules) and increased consumption of platelets, which may take place in the diseased liver even in patients with a relatively well preserved liver function.