Abstract: Objective To investigate the value of evaluating 5 platelet parameters in predicting delayed graft function (DGF) in
patients following kidney transplantation. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the pre- and postoperative (within 2 months)
data of 330 renal transplant recipients. The cases with DGF and those without were analyzed to assess the association between
relationship between DGF following transplantation and the variations of blood platelet parameters including platelet count
(PLT), large platelet ratio (P-LCR), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet volume distribution width (PDW) and platelet
hematocrit (PCT). Results The DGF and non-DGF cases were comparable for the platelet parameters before the operation. On
postoperative day 7 when the diagnosis of DGF was made, PLT (P<0.05) and PCT (P<0.02) were significantly lower while MPV
(P<0.01), PDW (P=0.036) and P-LCR (P=0.01) significantly higher in DGF group than in non-DGF group. The AUCs of P-LCR
(0.611±0.047), PDW (0.603±0.048) and MPV (0.762±0.037) were significantly higher than the reference area (P<0.05) with cut-off
values of 34.80%%, 12.95fl and 11.55fl, respectively. MPV showed a high sensitivity, specificity and Youden index for predicting
DFG; PDW and P-LCR had a high sensitivity but a low specificity for predicting DFG with a modest diagnostic value. PLT and
PCT, with AUCs of were 0.37 and 0.38, respectively, did not have a predictive value for DGF. Conclusions Significant
variations in platelet parameters occur in the event of DGF in renal transplant recipients, and monitoring the postoperative
changes in MPV, PDW, and P-LCR can help in early diagnosis and treatment of DGF. MPV has a moderate value (0.7-0.9) in
predicting DGF, and a MPV>11.55 fl suggests the risk of DGF.