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Elevation of plasma fibrinogen in silent myocardial ischaemia
A Grzywacz1, P Psuja, M Zozulińska
1Department of Internal Medicine, J. Struś Hospital, Poznań, Poland.
Insights
Elevated plasma fibrinogen levels were observed in men with silent myocardial ischemia, suggesting a link to more severe coronary heart disease. This study examined fibrinogen and PAI-1 in patients post-heart event.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hematology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- High plasma fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) are associated with coronary heart disease.
- Previous research explored PAI-1 antigen and activity in premature atherosclerosis.
- This study investigates fibrinogen concentration in relation to PAI-1 in male patients post-acute cardiac events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine plasma fibrinogen levels in men after a cardiac event.
- To verify the correlation between fibrinogen and PAI-1 antigen/activity.
- To assess the relationship between these markers and ischemic changes.
Main Methods:
- Study included men aged 33-46, stable for 6+ months post-event.
- Patients divided into two groups: Group A (ischaemic changes) and Group B (no ischaemic changes).
- Plasma fibrinogen levels, PAI-1 antigen, and PAI-1 activity were measured and compared to controls.
Main Results:
- Group A patients showed significantly higher mean fibrinogen levels (3.92 g/l) compared to controls (3.23 g/l).
- No significant differences in measured parameters were found between Group B and healthy controls.
- No correlation was found between fibrinogen concentration and PAI-1 levels, despite elevated PAI-1 in both patient groups.
Conclusions:
- Elevated plasma fibrinogen and PAI-1 are associated with more severe coronary heart disease, indicated by silent myocardial ischemia.
- Plasma fibrinogen may serve as a marker for disease severity in patients post-cardiac event.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay between fibrinogen, PAI-1, and atherosclerosis progression.
Abstract:
High plasma levels of fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) are reported to be correlated with coronary heart disease. Therefore the level of fibrinogen concentration in plasma was examined and verified for the possible correlation with the previously explored PAI-1 antigen and PAI-1 activity in the pathogenesis of premature atherosclerosis (Grzywacz et al., 1998, Blood Coagul Fibrinol. 9, 245-249). Examination included only men, aged 33-46 years, who were in a stable condition for at least six months after the acute event. They were divided into two subgroups: group A (n = 14) with and group B (n = 15) without ischaemic changes in 24 h Holter electrocardiogram. The number of involved vessels visible on the coronarography picture was similar in both groups. In the patients of group A the mean level of fibrinogen (3.92 vs 3.23 g/l, P < 0.05) was higher than in the controls (n = 15). No statistically differences were found between group B and control healthy subjects in any of the parameters measured. There were no correlation between fibrinogen concentration and PAI-1 antigen and activity levels, which were elevated in both groups of patients according to our previous study. Our results indicate that elevated levels of plasma fibrinogen and PAI-1 appeared in the group of patients with more severe disease, as revealed by silent myocardial ischaemia.