Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:Platelet activation may be a contributing factor to retinal vascular occlusions. Mean Platelet Component Concentration (MPC) measures the potential for platelet activity, indirectly, through platelet granule density. We hypothesized that there is a disturbance of platelet activity in retinal vascular occlusions. Methods:10 patients were recruited into the study at their time of initial pathological diagnosis. Patients were followed up in the out patients department and serial blood samples were taken. 10 age and sex matched controls were included in the study. MPCs were compared with levels previously documented in the patients prior to onset of retinal vein occlusion. Results:The normal range of MPC values are between 17–29g/dl, 8 of the patients with retinal vascular occlusion fell into this group. 2 patients have levels above the upper limit of normal. All controls were in the normal range. Of the 4 patients in whom retrospective MPCs were available, all showed an elevation in MPC at the time of pathological diagnosis. Of the 4 control patients in whom retrospective MPC were available, none showed a similar elevation. Conclusions:This study supports the hypothesis that there is a change in platelet activity in patients with retinal vascular occlusion, compared to their previous MPC values. Further investigations on MPC values are required to determine the significance of this test as an indicator of platelet dysfunction in retinal vascular disease.
Keywords: vascular occlusion/vascular occlusive disease • retina