The Effect of Mean Platelet Volume/Platelet Count Ratio on Dipper and Non-Dipper Blood Pressure Status.

Background and Objectives: The mean platelet volume (MPV) represents a possible marker of platelet activation. There is an association between the platelet count (PC) and inflammation and platelet reactivity. We assessed the association between the MPV/PC ratio and circadian alterations in blood pressure (BP). Material and Methods: One hundred and twenty subjects in total, 80 hypertensive subjects and 40 healthy subjects (controls), were enrolled in the study group. Twenty four hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) was applied to all subjects. According to ABPM results, the hypertensive subjects were separated into two groups, such as dippers (n = 40) and non-dippers (n = 40). In all subjects, the collection of venous peripheral blood samples was performed on admission for PC and MPV measurements. Results: The two groups exhibited similar clinical baseline characteristics. A significantly higher MPV/PC ratio was determined in non-dippers compared to that in dippers and normotensives. The higher MPV/PC ratio was observed in non-dippers in comparison with that in dippers and normotensives (0.046 ± 0.007 to 0.032 ± 0.004 fL/[109/L]; 0.046 ± 0.007 to 0.026 ± 0.004 fL/[109/L], p < 0.001, respectively). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the optimum cut-off value of the MPV/PC ratio for predicting non-dipping patterns in hypertensive patients was 0.036 (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.98, p < 0.001). According to the cut-off value, sensitivity and specificity were found to be 95% and 95%, respectively. Conclusions: The higher MPV/PC ratio was determined in non-dipper hypertensive subjects in comparison with that in dipper hypertensive subjects. An elevation of platelet activity and an increase in thrombus burden are reflected by an increase in the MPV/PC ratio. The MPV/PC ratio may underlie the increase in cardiovascular risk in non-dippers compared to that in dippers.

Dynamic variations in platelet counts may reflect the severity and prognosis of stingray injuries in the early phase.

There is often a delay in offering quality and prompt treatment after a stingray sting. We present 3 cases of stings and discuss the Poisoning Severity Score (PSS) and a simple tool to assess the severity of such injuries. A 34-year-old man, who worked as an aquarium keeper, presented a wound on the left fifth digit caused by a stingray. Acute myocardial injury and rhabdomyolysis were detected. After 6weeks, the wound had almost healed. A 27-year-old man who experienced a stingray injury on the left second digit recovered without sequelae after 5weeks. A 45-year-old man with a history of diabetes, who was accidentally stung in the right palm by a stingray, experienced rhabdomyolysis and returned to work after 2months. We performed debridement, administered the tetanus toxoid and antibiotics, and immersed the wounded hand in warm water (about 43°C) for all three cases. Meanwhile, patients with rhabdomyolysis were administered intravenous hydration. Upon presentation at the emergency department, we recorded the severity of the injury by using PSS. We found that relatively high PSSs were associated with lower platelet counts that happen due to various adverse events. We suggest that dynamic changes in platelet counts may be associated with the severity of the injury. Furthermore, lower platelet counts in the normal or abnormal range may indicate poor prognoses.

Hematuria macroscópica gestacional: a propósito de un caso tratado con RIRS / Gestational gross hematuria: report of a case treated with RIRS

La hematuria, durante la gestación, es debida a causas urológicas comunes como la litiasis y la infección de orina, los tumores del riñón y la vejiga, y las malformaciones vasculares renales. Anomalías de la implantación de la placenta y complicaciones obstétricas pueden ocasionar sangrado en orina. Entre las causas nefrológicas figura el síndrome hemolítico urémico. Alteraciones hematológicas asociadas a la gestación como la plaquetopenia favorecen la hematuria, en especial si existe una patología urológica subyacente. Se presenta un caso clínico de hematuria recidivante en una gestante que requirió estudio con RM y URS, resuelto después del parto con cirugía endoscópica intrarrenal (RIRS) (AU)

Hematuria during pregnancy is due to common urological causes such as stones and urinary tract infection, kidney and bladder tumors, and renal vascular malformations. Abnormalities of placenta implantation and obstetric complications are the cause of bleeding in urine. Among nephrological causes is the hemolitic-uremic syndrome. Hematologic abnormalities as a thrombocytopenia favor gestational hematuria, especially if there is an underlying urologic pathology. A case report of recurrent hematuria in a pregnant is presented. MRI and URS was required to study it. The case was resolved after birth with intrarenal endoscopic surgery (RIRS) (AU)

Utilidad del extendido de sangre periférica: las plaquetas / Usefulness of blood smears, platelets

A pesar de los grandes avances tecnológicos relacionados con el hemograma, y en particular los derivados de los autoanalizadores de hematología, cada vez más sofisticados y completos, el extendido de sangre periférica continúa siendo el “estándar de oro” del diagnóstico hematológico. De acuerdo con las buenas prácticas de hematología, el extendido de sangre periférica está indicado en todos los hemogramas que muestren alguna desviación en los recuentos directos, indirectos o calculados, o cuando se sospeche clínicamente una enfermedad de origen hematológico o de origen no hematológico con manifestaciones hematológicas, aun con parámetros entre los rangos esperados. En el extendido de sangre periférica es posible observar alteraciones relacionadas con la morfología de los eritrocitos, leucocitos y las plaquetas. En este módulo se analizarán los aspectos más importantes de la morfología de las plaquetas, en particular: 1) el recuento de plaquetas que define los conceptos de trombocitopenia y trombocitosis, 2) las variaciones en el tamaño, la morfología y los gránulos citoplasmáticos y su relación con las enfermedades plaquetarias asociadas, 3) los nuevos parámetros plaquetarios derivados de la incorporación de los autoanalizadores de hematología a los laboratorios clínicos, especialmente el volumen medio plaquetario y el ancho de distribución de las plaquetas y su relación con los aspectos morfológicos evidenciables en el extendido de sangre periférica, y 4) se aborda el problema de los resultados falsos bajos (seudotrombocitopenia) o altos (trombocitosis) y se dan pautas para su adecuado estudio sistemático cuando se presentan estos resultados. Este módulo, dedicado al análisis de la morfología de las plaquetas en el extendido de sangre periférica, provee al profesional de laboratorio elementos que le permiten identificar adecuadamente las diferentes alteraciones de estas células, en tanto que al médico le proporciona información para que relacione los hallazgos, tanto cuantitativos como morfológicos, con la clínica.