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Fibrinogen and its degradation products as thrombotic risk factors

G D Lowe1, A Rumley

  • 1University Department of Medicine, Royal Infirmary, 10 Alexandra Parade, Glasgow, United Kingdom. gdl1j@clinmed.gla.ac.uk

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|July 20, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Plasma fibrinogen and fibrin D-dimer levels predict ischemic heart disease. Further research is needed to standardize assays and confirm causality through clinical trials.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Clinical Pathology

Background:

  • Plasma fibrinogen and fibrin D-dimer are established independent predictors of ischemic heart disease (IHD).
  • Current studies using various assays show no significant heterogeneity in results.
  • There is a recognized need for assay standardization and prospective comparisons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the predictive value of fibrinogen and D-dimer for IHD.
  • To emphasize the necessity for prospective assay comparisons and standardization.
  • To call for further research, including randomized controlled trials, to establish causal links.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent meta-analyses of prospective studies.
  • Discussion of current assay methodologies and their limitations.
  • Identification of research gaps and future directions.

Main Results:

  • Plasma fibrinogen and fibrin D-dimer levels are consistently associated with increased risk of IHD.
  • No heterogeneity reported across studies using different assays to date.
  • Need for prospective validation and standardization of assays identified.

Conclusions:

  • Fibrinogen and D-dimer are significant predictors of ischemic heart disease.
  • Standardization of assays and prospective comparisons are crucial for clinical application.
  • Randomized controlled trials are required to confirm the causal role of these markers in thrombotic events.

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