Fibrinogen and thrombophilia

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Hematology
• Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

• Thrombophilia, or the tendency toward clot formation, contributes to serious conditions like pulmonary embolism, peripheral vascular disease, and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• CVD is the leading cause of mortality in the U.S. population.
• Elevated plasma fibrinogen levels correlate with increased risk of ischemic events, surpassing the predictive power of total cholesterol.

Purpose of the Study:

• To illustrate the significant relationship between fibrinogen and thrombophilia.
• To highlight fibrinogen's role as a potent predictor of coronary artery disease and stroke.
• To discuss the limitations of fibrinogen's clinical application in cardiovascular risk assessment.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing studies correlating fibrinogen levels with thrombotic and cardiovascular events.
• Analysis of fibrinogen's properties as an acute phase reactant and its molecular variations.
• Examination of factors hindering fibrinogen's widespread clinical acceptance for risk prediction.

Main Results:

• Fibrinogen is a potent predictor of coronary artery disease and is positively associated with stroke.
• Elevated plasma fibrinogen is linked to a higher risk of ischemic events.
• Abnormalities in fibrinogen's molecular structure can lead to varied hemostatic effects, including thrombus formation.

Conclusions:

• Fibrinogen's strong association with thrombophilia and cardiovascular disease warrants attention.
• Standardization of laboratory measurements and development of targeted interventions are needed for fibrinogen to be a more accepted clinical tool.
• Fibrinogen's role as an acute phase reactant and its molecular variability influence its impact on hemostasis.