Figure 3

Comparison of platelet mitochondrial membrane potential of survivors and nonsurvivors of the severe-sepsis group. (A) Box-and whisker plots illustrate platelet Mmp-Index of survivors (n = 10) and nonsurvivors (n = 7) of the severe-sepsis group on admission and during follow-up. Lower Mmp-Index values indicate a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Platelet Mmp-Index did not show significant differences between the groups on admission (P = 0.44). No relevant increase was noted in platelet Mmp-Index in nonsurvivors during follow-up (Mmp-Index <0.5), whereas Mmp-Index in survivors recovered to baseline levels of controls. Platelet Mmp-Index was significantly higher in survivors than in nonsurvivors on follow-up (P = 0.004). Box margins identify the upper and lower quartile; the horizontal line marks the median; and whiskers indicate minimal and maximal values. Outliers are indicated with a circle. *Statistically significant difference, P ≤ 0.05. (B) Individual mean Mmp-Index values from triplicate readings of patients in the group of sepsis survivors and nonsurvivors on admission and during follow-up.