@article{10.1055/s-0039-1681128, title = {Role of Platelets in Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis: An Observational Study}, author = {Chetti, Shravan Kumar and Kalivela, Santhimayee and Yerra, Suresh and Garre, Indrani and Kumar, Achukatla}, abstract = { Abstract \textbf{Background} As previous studies demonstrated, the mean platelet volume (MPV) is one of the determinant factors for the development of left atrial appendage (LAA) clot. The authors wanted to see other parameters such as platelet distribution width (PDW) along with MPV in patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease (CHRD) in whom transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) was done. \textbf{Methods} Total 50 consecutive CRHD patients with predominantly mitral stenosis (MS) came for cardiac outpatient department (OPD) for balloon valvuloplasty and were enrolled. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and TEE were performed for each patient. Laboratory investigations included all biochemical parameters. In addition MPV and PDW were noted. \textbf{Results} Most of the 50 patients enrolled in this study were middle-aged women (\textit{n} = 37), with mean age of 40.18 ± 9.50 years. Patients were divided into two groups: with left atrial (LA) clot (\textit{n} = 24, group 1) and without LA clot (\textit{n} = 26, group 2). Out of them, male population with severe MS was more prone for LA clot formation (\textit{p} = 0.031). When comparing severity of MS with electrocardiographic (ECG) rhythm (normal vs. atrial fibrillation), no statistically significant difference was observed with clot formation (\textit{p} = −0.44). In this study, presence of clot is more when the patient has larger-size platelets, that is, higher MPV, which is statistically significant (9.823 ± 0.759 vs. 10.996 ± 0.534; \textit{p} = 0.000). Severe MS is associated with high normal PDW whether the clot is present or not but statistically not significant (\textit{p} = −0.926). \textbf{Conclusion} Severity of MS in CRHD patients is an independent determinant of LA clot formation irrespective of rhythm abnormalities and higher MPV value. Male patients with severe MS are more prone to LA clot formation. }, volume = 03, journal = {Indian Journal of Cardiovascular Disease in Women WINCARS}, issn = {2455-7854}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-1681128}, doi = {10.1055/s-0039-1681128} }