Evaluation on platelet distribution width as a novel specific marker of platelet activation

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of platelet distribution width(PDW) for platelet activation.Methods: Mean platelet volume(MPV) and PDW in three groups of persons,using Sysmex XE-2100 hematology analyzer,were measured.The first group were healthy control subjects.The second study group were patients with established platelet activation.The third group were randomly chosen patients,whose MPV and PDW were assessed based on the effect of storage time.Results: There was a significant increase in MPV and PDW in patients with established platelet activation compared with healthy control subjects(P0.001).A significant increase was observed in MPV(P0.05),but decrease in PDW over storage time(P0.01).Conclusion: PDW is a more specific marker of platelet activation than MPV is,and the detection method with PDW is simple and accurate.PDW increases obviously during platelet activation,whereas it decreases during simple platelet swelling over storage time.