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Thrombomodulin levels in asymptomatic familial hypercholesterolemia
A Vayá1, M Martínez, A Ballesta
1Department of Clinical Pathology, La Fe Hospital, Valencia, Spain.
Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation
|July 23, 1999
Summary
Plasma thrombomodulin (TM) levels show a tendency to be higher in young, asymptomatic familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patients. However, TM is not a reliable early marker for atherosclerosis in FH individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biomarkers
- Genetics
Background:
- Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder leading to high LDL cholesterol.
- Early endothelial damage is a precursor to atherosclerosis.
- Thrombomodulin (TM) is a marker of endothelial dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if young, asymptomatic FH patients have elevated plasma TM levels.
- To assess TM as an early indicator of endothelial damage and atherosclerosis in FH.
Main Methods:
- Measured plasma thrombomodulin (TM) levels in 23 heterozygous FH patients and a control group.
- Performed carotid Doppler ultrasonography to evaluate vascular health in all participants.
- Analyzed TM levels in relation to atherosclerotic findings.
Main Results:
- FH subjects showed a trend towards higher TM levels compared to controls (37.8 vs. 30.1 ng/ml).
- The difference in TM levels between groups was not statistically significant.
- TM demonstrated 66% sensitivity and 80% specificity for detecting atherosclerosis in FH patients.
Conclusions:
- Elevated plasma TM is not a statistically significant indicator of early endothelial damage in young, asymptomatic FH patients.
- Thrombomodulin (TM) is not a sufficiently sensitive or specific early marker for atherosclerosis in individuals with FH.