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FVIII coagulant activity and antigen in subjects with ischaemic heart disease
1Division of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, UK. medgr@medphysics.leeds.ac.uk
Insights
Elevated levels of Factor VIII antigen (FVIII:Ag) are linked to a higher risk of myocardial infarction (MI), a serious heart condition. However, Factor VIII coagulant activity (FVIII:C) showed no such association in this study.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hematology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Elevated factor VIII coagulant activity (FVIII:C) is a known risk factor for ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction (MI).
- Factor VIII antigen (FVIII:Ag) and FVIII:C levels are key hemostatic markers with potential implications in cardiovascular disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between FVIII:Ag and FVIII:C levels and the presence of MI and coronary atheroma.
- To determine if FVIII:Ag or FVIII:C are independent risk factors for MI.
Main Methods:
- Measured FVIII:Ag and FVIII:C levels in 288 European patients with coronary artery disease and 313 healthy European controls.
- Assessed extent of atheroma via coronary angiography and MI history using WHO criteria.
- Utilized multivariate analysis to identify independent risk factors.
Main Results:
- FVIII:Ag levels were significantly higher in patients compared to controls (1.17 vs 1.03 IU/ml).
- FVIII:C levels were significantly lower in patients compared to controls (1.26 vs 1.45 IU/ml).
- FVIII:Ag levels, but not FVIII:C, were an independent risk factor for MI (Odds Ratio 2.40).
Conclusions:
- Elevated FVIII:Ag levels are independently associated with an increased risk of MI.
- No association was found between FVIII:Ag or FVIII:C levels and the presence or extent of coronary atheroma.
- FVIII:Ag may serve as a valuable biomarker for MI risk stratification.
Abstract:
Raised factor VIII coagulant activity has been associated with Ischaemic Heart Disease and Myocardial Infarction (MI). We measured FVIII:C and FVIII:Ag levels in 288 white European patients characterised for extent of atheroma by coronary angiography and for a history of MI by WHO criteria, and 313 white European healthy controls. FVIII:Ag levels were higher in patients than controls after adjustment for confounding variables (1.17 IU/ml patients, 1.03 IU/ml controls [p <0.0005]), whereas FVIII:C levels were lower in patients (1.26 IU/ml patients, 1.45 IU/ml controls [p<0.0005]). FVIII:Ag levels were higher in patients with MI and with angiographic evidence of atheroma than controls. FVIII:Ag levels but not FVIII:C levels were a significant independent risk factor for MI in multivariate analysis (Odds Ratio 2.40[1.35-4.27] [p = 0.003]). No association of FVIII:Ag or FVIII:C levels and presence or extent of atheroma was found in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, this study found an independent association of FVIII:Ag but not FVIII:C with MI.