Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
The Nijmegen Hemostasis Assay: Simultaneous Fluorogenic Measurement of Thrombin and Plasmin Generation in a Single Well
Published on: February 27, 2026
Plasminogen and fibrinogen plasma levels in coronary artery disease
Luciana Moreira Lima1, Maria das Graças Carvalho, Marinez de Oliveira Sousa
1Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
Insights
Higher plasma fibrinogen levels correlate with coronary artery disease severity. Plasminogen levels did not show a significant association with coronary stenosis progression in this study.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hematology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Atherothrombosis, driven by thrombus formation at atherosclerotic lesions, is a critical concern in cardiovascular disease.
- Impaired fibrinolysis can worsen existing coronary artery disease (CAD).
- While fibrinogen is linked to CAD severity, its role alongside plasminogen in CAD patients requires clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma fibrinogen and plasminogen levels in patients with varying degrees of coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosed via angiography.
- To determine the association between fibrinogen and plasminogen levels and the severity of coronary stenosis.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 57 participants: 17 controls with normal coronary arteries, 12 with mild/moderate atheromatosis, and 28 with severe atheromatosis.
- Plasma levels of fibrinogen and plasminogen were quantified using coagulometric and chromogenic assays, respectively.
Main Results:
- Fibrinogen levels were significantly elevated in the severe atheromatosis group compared to controls and the mild/moderate group (p < 0.0001).
- A significant positive correlation was found between CAD severity and fibrinogen levels (r = 0.50, p < 0.0001).
- No significant differences in plasminogen levels were observed between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Plasma fibrinogen levels are higher in patients with CAD and correlate with disease severity.
- Plasma plasminogen levels did not differ significantly among groups and showed no clear correlation with the progression of coronary stenosis in this cohort.
Objective:
The formation of thrombi at the site of atherosclerotic lesions plays a central role in atherothrombosis. Impaired fibrinolysis may exacerbate pre-existing coronary artery disease and potentiate its evolution. While the fibrinogen plasma level has been strongly associated with the severity of coronary artery disease, its relevance in the evaluation of plasminogen in coronary artery disease patients remains unclear. This study evaluated fibrinogen and plasminogen levels in subjects with coronary artery disease as diagnosed by angiography.
Methods:
This is a cross-sectional study. Blood samples obtained from 17 subjects with angiographically normal coronary arteries (controls), 12 with mild/moderate atheromatosis and 28 with severe atheromatosis were evaluated. Plasma plasminogen and fibrinogen levels were measured by chromogenic and coagulometric methods, respectively.
Results:
Fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in the severe atheromatosis group compared to the other groups(p-value < 0.0001). A significant positive correlation was observed between the severity of coronary artery diseaseand increasing fibrinogen levels (r = 0.50; p-value < 0.0001) and between fibrinogen and plasminogen levels (r =0.46; p-value < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in the plasminogen levels between groups.
Conclusion:
Plasma fibrinogen, but not plasminogen levels were higher in patients with coronary artery disease compared to angiographically normal subjects. The plasma fibrinogen levels also appear to be associated with the severity of the disease. The results of this study provide no evidence of a significant correlation between plasma plasminogen levels and the progress of coronary stenosis in the study population.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology
01:16Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:30Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...