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Plasminogen activator inhibitor contributes to the coronary wall thickening in patients with angiographically normal

Yuji Miyao1, Kazuteru Fujimoto, Kiyotaka Kugiyama

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Center, Kumamoto National Hospital, Ninomaru 1-5, Kumamoto 860-0008, Kumamoto, Japan. miyamiya@kumamoto2.hosp.go.jp

Thrombosis Research
|February 18, 2004
PubMed

Insights

High plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) correlate with increased intimal thickening in normal coronary arteries. This suggests PAI activity contributes to early atherosclerotic changes and potential coronary tone increase.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Vascular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Intimal thickening in angiographically normal coronary arteries contributes to coronary artery disease.
  • Elevated plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) levels are linked to myocardial infarction and atherosclerosis.
  • The role of PAI in vascular wall thickening in normal coronary arteries is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if PAI activity contributes to atherosclerotic changes in normal coronary arteries.
  • To evaluate the relationship between PAI activity and intimal thickening using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Main Methods:

  • Study included 33 patients with normal coronary angiograms.
  • Patients were categorized into high PAI activity (H-PAI) and normal PAI activity (N-PAI) groups.
  • Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was used to assess intima+media (I+M) area and thickness.

Main Results:

  • The H-PAI group showed significantly greater %I+M area and maximal I+M thickness compared to the N-PAI group.
  • No significant differences in minimal lumen diameter or lumen area were observed between groups.
  • Plasma PAI activity was an independent predictor of increased maximal I+M thickness.

Conclusions:

  • Thickened intima+media in normal coronary arteries is associated with high plasma PAI activity.
  • PAI may play a role in the development of coronary intimal thickening.
  • This thickening could potentially influence coronary arterial tone.
Abstract

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