Age as a risk factor for myocardial infarction in Leiden mutation carriers

A single factor V gene G-A mutation (Arg506Gln) underlying activated protein C (APC) resistance is a common risk factor for venous thromboembolism. It is still unclear whether the factor V Leiden predisposes patients to arterial thrombosis and myocardial infarction (MI). To determine a correlation between the factor V Leiden mutation and MI in different age categories, DNA samples from 287 patients with "early" and "late" MI were investigated. As control groups 373 young subjects (mean age 11 years) and 110 elderly ones (mean age 80 years) were studied. We found a significant difference in mutant allele distribution in the "late" MI group compared to the "early" MI group (chi2 = 9.86, OR = 13,7, P < 0.005) and the control group of elderly subjects (chi2 = 5.92, OR = 8.6, P < 0.02). The mean age of MI patients carrying the Leiden mutation was 72 years, i.e., 12 years higher than the mean age of all investigated MI patients (60 years). Thus, we found a statistically significant correlation between MI and factor V Leiden mutation in elderly subjects.