It has been postulated that large platelets may be an indicator of platelet activation, and thus be related to the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD). Platelet distribution width (PDW) directly measures the variability in platelet size. However, no data has been so far reported on this index and CAD. Thus, the aim of the current study was to investigate whether PDW is associated with the extent of CAD. We measured PDW in 1882 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography. Significant CAD was defined as stenosis >50% in at least one coronary vessel. We additionally measured Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (IMT) in 359 patients. Patients with higher PDW were older (p = 0.012), with higher weight (p < 0.0001) and waist (p < 0.0001), larger prevalence of diabetes (p = 0.014), dilated cardiomyopathy or valvular heart disease (p < 0.0001) and less often family history of CAD (p = 0.021), more often on statins (p = 0.005), and diuretics (p = 0.016). PDW was significantly associated with baseline glycaemia (p = 0.002) and Red Blood Cell count (p < 0.0001), but inversely related to platelet count (p < 0.0001). PDW was not associated with the prevalence of coronary artery disease (OR [95% CI] = 0.91 [0.81–1.04], p = 0.16; adjusted OR [95% CI] = 0.96 [0.82–1.12], p = 0.56). No relationship was observed between IMT and PDW as tertiles or as continuous variable (Mean IMT: r = 0.04; p = 0.46; Maximal IMT: r = 0.036, p = 0.49). This study showed that PDW is not related to the extent of CAD and carotid IMT. Thus, PDW can not be considered as a risk factor for CAD.

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BackgroundTransorbital sonography (TOS) has been proven to be able to non-invasively detect elevated intracranial pressure. In this condition TOS shows an increase in optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD). It has been suggested that internal jugular vein valve insufficiency (IJVVI) may represent a factor contributing to the pathogenesis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with IIH or secondary IH have higher ONSD values and higher frequency of IJVVI compared to subjects without IH.MethodsTwenty-one patients with newly diagnosed IIH or secondary IH were prospectively evaluated and compared with 21 age, gender and BMI-matched controls. Experienced vascular sonographers used B-mode TOS to evaluate ONSD, optic nerve diameter (OND) and IJVVI. CSF opening pressures were also measured.ResultsONSD values were significantly higher in patients (6.50 ± 0.67) than controls (5.73 ± 0.66; p < 0.0001). No differences were found in OND values between patients (2.99 ± 0.26) and controls (2.93 ± 0.41; p = 0.574). No correlation was demonstrated between ONSD and CSF opening pressure (r = 0,086) (p = 0.73). No difference in frequency of IJVVI between patients (11/42 valves, 26 %) and controls (9/42, 21 %) was observed (p = 0.777).ConclusionsIncreased ONSD values detected by TOS support the diagnosis of IH. Our results do not support the hypothesis of a venous congestion as a potential factor contributing to the pathogenesis of IIH.Trial registrationNot applicable. Observational, non-interventional study.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12883-016-0594-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Transorbital B-mode sonography is a feasible method to assess both ONSD and OND with a high intra- and interobserver reliability. Technical difficulties in differentiating the optic nerve from its sheaths may explain the lower intraobserver agreement for OND than that for ONSD measurements.