Blood coagulation factors in the elderly.

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Gerontology
• Thrombosis Research

Background:

• Age-dependent increase in thromboembolic events is a significant clinical concern.
• Understanding the hemostatic balance in aging is crucial for preventing thrombotic disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age-related changes in plasma coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters.
• To compare coagulation profiles in healthy elderly, young, and elderly diseased blood donors.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of plasma coagulation parameters including clotting times (partial thromboplastin, thrombin, prothrombin, reptilase).
• Quantification of plasma clotting factors (F I, VII, VIII:C, X, HMW-kininogen, prekallikrein) and inhibitors (antithrombin III).
• Assessment of fibrinolysis markers (plasminogen, alpha-2-antiplasmin, plasminogen activators).

Main Results:

• Slightly shortened partial thromboplastin and thrombin clotting times in the elderly.
• Increased plasma concentrations of several clotting factors and decreased antithrombin III in healthy elderly donors.
• Lower levels of plasminogen activators in the euglobulin fraction of elderly individuals, indicating delayed fibrinolysis.

Conclusions:

• The aging hemostatic system exhibits a shift favoring enhanced fibrin formation and delayed fibrinolysis.
• Increased activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis observed in healthy elderly individuals.
• This altered hemostatic balance, combined with other risk factors, contributes to the higher incidence of thromboembolic disorders in the aged.