D-Dimer to Fibrinogen Ratio as a Novel Prognostic Marker in Patients After Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Hematology
• Biomarker Research

Background:

• The coagulation and fibrinolysis systems play a role in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
• The D-dimer to fibrinogen ratio (DFR) is a known biomarker for ischemic stroke and pulmonary embolism.
• Limited research exists on the DFR's association with general cardiovascular disease prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the DFR as a predictor of mortality in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
• To determine the relationship between DFR levels and long-term all-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiac mortality (CM) in this patient group.

Main Methods:

• Patients undergoing PCI for CAD were divided into lower (DFR < 0.52) and higher (DFR ≥ 0.52) DFR groups.
• Primary outcomes assessed were all-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiac mortality (CM) over an average follow-up of 37.59 months.
• Statistical analyses included Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression models.

Main Results:

• The higher DFR group exhibited significantly higher rates of ACM (6.6% vs 2.4%) and CM (4.0% vs 1.5%) compared to the lower DFR group (P < 0.001 for both).
• Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed significantly higher incidences of ACM and CM in patients with elevated DFR (log rank P < 0.001).
• Multivariate Cox regression confirmed DFR as an independent predictor for ACM (HR = 1.743) and CM (HR = 1.695).

Conclusions:

• The D-dimer to fibrinogen ratio (DFR) is a significant and independent predictor of long-term all-cause mortality and cardiac mortality.
• Elevated DFR levels identify post-percutaneous coronary intervention patients with coronary artery disease at higher risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
• DFR represents a novel biomarker for risk stratification in patients with coronary artery disease following PCI.