VPB0106 - Platelet parameters in patients with COVID-19 and ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Background: COVID-19 can affect the platelets function. A vital feature of the impact is the tendency to excessive thrombosis against the background of platelet hyperactivation.

Aims: The aim was determine the effect of COVID-19 on platelet parameters in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: This retrospective case-control study included 66 patients (33 pairs) matched in terms of gender, age, and STEMI (Table 1). In each pair one of these patients was hospitalized with COVID-19, and the other was hospitalized without COVID-19, according to routing to different hospitals. The Mindray BC-5150 automatic hematology analyzer was used to assess blood parameters. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) analysis was performed by the Panchenkov method. «Statistica» data analysis package was used for statistical processing. Signed Informed Voluntary Consent form was obtained from all patients. The study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the Ural State Medical University. “Statistica” data analysis package was used for statistical processing.

Results: By the time of admission (see Table 2), white blood cells (WBC) count was lower in the group with STEMI and COVID-19 compared with group without COVID-19; mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet crit (PCT), ESR were higher in patients with COVID-19. One week after, differences in MPV between the groups still persisted. In patients with STEMI and COVID-19, there was a positive correlation between platelet count and WBC count (Spearman's ρ=0.42; p< 0.05) and a positive correlation between platelet count and ESR (Spearman's ρ=0.41; p< 0.05) at the time of admission. In patients without COVID-19, these correlations were not found.

Conclusion(s): Patients with STEMI and COVID-19 have higher MPV than patients without COVID-19 at hospital admission and one week after. In patients with STEMI and COVID-19, platelet count is positively correlated with WBC count and ESR; it may indicate an association between platelet count and inflammation in patients with COVID-19 and STEMI.