Thrombomodulin and von Willebrand factor in smokers and during smoking

Circulating thrombomodulin (TM) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were determined in smokers before and after smoking of two filter cigarettes and in control subjects. The basal levels of TM and vWF were significantly increased in smokers relative to controls (p < 0.001). However, levels of these two factors remained unchanged immediately after smoking of two filter cigarettes, while a statistically significant correlation was observed only between plasma TM and number of years of smoking (p < 0.05).