Related Experiment Videos
Is low AT III a significant risk factor for coronary artery disease? Anecdotal observations
1Ozark Meadows Family Health Center, Lake Ozark, Missouri 65049, USA.
Insights
Low antithrombin III (AT III) levels correlate with coronary artery disease risk in rural patients. This finding suggests AT III may be an important factor in cardiovascular health assessments.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hematology
- Family Medicine
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality.
- Identifying novel risk factors for CAD is crucial for preventative strategies.
- Antithrombin III (AT III) is a key regulator of coagulation, but its role in CAD is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between plasma antithrombin III (AT III) levels and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors.
- To assess the predictive value of low AT III levels in a rural family practice population.
Main Methods:
- Plasma AT III levels were measured in 78 at-risk patients using chromogenic coagulation assays.
- Patient records were analyzed for key CAD risk factors including lipid profiles, HBA1C, blood pressure, BMI, hostility, and nicotine use.
- The study compared the lowest recorded AT III levels against the highest recorded values of traditional risk factors over a 6-year period.
Main Results:
- A negative correlation (r = -0.49) was observed between low antithrombin III (AT III) levels and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk.
- Low AT III levels correlated with CAD risk in 24% of patients when considering the most extreme risk factor values.
- This correlation with AT III was stronger than other traditional risk factors analyzed.
Conclusions:
- Low plasma antithrombin III (AT III) levels are associated with increased coronary artery disease (CAD) risk in a rural population.
- AT III may serve as a potential biomarker for cardiovascular risk assessment.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms linking AT III to CAD.
Abstract:
I report on my 6-year experience identifying the correlation of low antithrombin III (AT III) levels with coronary artery disease in a rural Missouri family practice setting. I measured plasma AT III levels in 78 patients who were at risk for coronary artery disease. I also tracked lipid profiles, HBA1C, blood pressure, body mass index, hostility, and nicotine use. I measured AT III levels using Baxter Diagnostic AG Dade antithrombin III chromogenic coagulation assays of antithrombin III (normal range, 88% to 126%) at the Boone County Hospital Laboratory, Columbia, Missouri. I analyzed the patient records and looked for the worst recording of each of the above risk factors, selecting the highest blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, HBA1C, weight, and age. I selected the lowest AT III level, which often occurred when the patient was stressed. When the worst risk factors were picked over a long period of time, low AT III correlated with an arbitrary coronary artery disease scale 24% of the time. This negative correlation (r = -.49) was higher than any other risk factor in these selected patients.