Summary
Cardiovascular disease is responsible for approximately 50% of total mortality in
Europe, the USA and Japan (1). Established risk factors including smoking, hypercholesterolemia,
and hypertension explain about half of the incidence of cardiovascular disease only
(2). Reduced endogenous fibrinolytic activity secondary to increased plasma activity
of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) is now considered as a new cardiovascular
risk factor. In this review, evidence is gathered for the notion that PAI-1 constitutes
a predictor of cardiovascular disease and also contributes to the development of cardiovascular
disease as a pathogenetic factor. The review will focus on experimental studies modulating
PAI-1 activity and clinical studies addressing coronary heart disease, myocardial
infarction, restenosis after coronary angioplasty, and graft occlusion after coronary
artery bypass grafting.
Key words
Endogenous fibrinolysis - atherogenesis - arteriosclerosis - risk factor