Platelet glycoprotein receptor IIIa polymorphism PLA1/PLA2 and coronary risk: a meta-analysis

Membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa plays a major role in platelet function. The gene encoding the glycoprotein IIIa shows a common polymorphism PLA1/PLA2 that was variably associated with vascular disease. To clarify the role of PLA1/PLA2 polymorphism in coronary risk, a meta-analysis of published data was conducted. Studies were identified both by MEDLINE searches, and hand searching of journals and abstract books. A total of 34 studies for coronary artery disease (CAD), and 6 for restenosis after revascularization were identified, for a total of 9,095 cases and 12,508 controls. In CAD, the overall odds ratio for carriers of the PLA2 allele was 1.10 (95% CI: 1.03 to 1.18), and it was 1.21 (95% CI: 1.05 to 1.38) in subjects younger than 60. Overall odds ratio was 1.31 (95% CI: 1.10 to 1.56) after revascularization procedures. The association of PLA2 status with overall cardiovascular disease in the general population is significant but weak; higher risk has been identified in less heterogeneous subgroups as in the younger cohorts and in the restenosis subset with stents.