BACKGROUND: Periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) represents a relatively common complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Mean platelet volume (MPV) has been proposed as a marker for platelet activation, as larger sized platelets have been associated with higher pro-thrombotic risk. Therefore, aim of the current study was to evaluate whether MPV is associated with increased risk of PMI after PCI. METHODS: We included 1056 consecutive patients undergoing PCI. We measured myonecrosis biomarkers at intervals from 6 to 48 h after PCI. Periprocedural myonecrosis was defined for troponin I increase by 3 times the ULN or by 50% if elevated at the time of the procedure. PMI was defined as CK-MB increase by 3 times the ULN or 50% if elevated at the time of the procedure. RESULTS: We grouped patients according to tertiles values of MPV (11.4 fl). High MPV was associated with diabetes (p = 0.025) and higher prevalence of cerebrovascular events (p = 0.005). MPV significantly related with haemoglobin levels (p /= 75 years) (OR[95%CI] = 1.21[0.87-1.69], p = 0.25) or with renal failure (OR[95%CI] = 1.55[0.91-2.61], p = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that MPV does not predict the risk of PMI in patients undergoing PCI.