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[Fibrinogen and coronary heart disease]
1Abteilung Innere Medizin A, Medizinischen Klinik und Poliklinik, Universität Münster.
Insights
Plasma fibrinogen levels are higher in patients with ischemic heart disease. Elevated fibrinogen indicates greater disease severity and predicts future cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and mortality.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Clinical Biochemistry
Background:
- Plasma fibrinogen concentrations are elevated in patients with overt ischemic heart disease compared to healthy individuals.
- Fibrinogen levels correlate positively with the extent and severity of coronary artery disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of plasma fibrinogen as a cardiovascular risk marker.
- To assess the prognostic significance of fibrinogen levels in ischemic heart disease.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of plasma fibrinogen concentrations in patients with ischemic heart disease.
- Correlation of fibrinogen levels with coronary artery disease severity assessed by angiography.
- Review of prospective studies on fibrinogen levels and cardiovascular outcomes.
Main Results:
- Significantly increased plasma fibrinogen in patients with overt ischemic heart disease.
- Positive association between fibrinogen levels and the extent/severity of coronary artery disease.
- Prospective studies confirm fibrinogen's prognostic value for myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality.
Conclusions:
- Plasma fibrinogen is a significant cardiovascular risk marker in patients with established coronary heart disease.
- Fibrinogen levels should be considered in future clinical trials for cardiovascular disease.
- Elevated fibrinogen warrants attention for risk stratification and management in ischemic heart disease.
Abstract:
On average, plasma fibrinogen concentrations are significantly increased in patients with overt ischaemic heart disease as compared with healthy individuals or patients with normal coronary arteries on angiographic examination. Fibrinogen levels appear to be positively related to the extent and severity of coronary artery disease as assessed by angiography. Prospective studies have demonstrated the prognostic significance of plasma fibrinogen levels, measured during stable phases of the disease, with respect to the incidence of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality. In accordance with the results of prospective population studies, fibrinogen may be considered a cardiovascular risk marker in patients with manifest coronary heart disease. This should be accounted for in future intervention trials.