ABSTRACT
In this study, plasma concentrations of hemostatic molecular markers were investigated
in 118 elderly persons with normal renal function (aged 65 to 97 years) who could
manage their activities of daily living (ADL) by themselves, to find a strategy for
conservation or elevation of ADL and quality of life (QOL). In all subjects, the frequency
by which hemostatic markers exceeded their upper limit of normal range was 35.9% for
thrombin-antithrombin III complex (≥3.7 ng/ml), 38.3% for soluble fibrin monomer (≥4.0
μg/ml), 41.8% for D-dimer (≥1.0 μg/ml), 49.0% for plasmin-α2 plasmin inhibitor complex (≥1.0 μg/ml), and 53.7% for thrombomodulin (≥20 ng/ml).
The mean plasma levels of these markers were slightly higher than the upper limit
of their normal range. These markers were also investigated in samples of patients
with and without cardiovascular risk factors and with and without cardiovascular diseases
(ischemic heart disease and/or cerebral infarction). Furthermore, the results were
analyzed in relationships between cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk factor
or aging. The findings suggest that aging exerts a stronger influence on plasma levels
of these hemostatic molecular markers than the presence of cardiovascular risk factors
and cardiovascular diseases. From the viewpoint for conservation or elevation of ADL
and QOL in elderly persons, also other factor, such as drug intake, lifestyle, aging,
and so on, must be considered to clarify the relationship between the plasma levels
of the hemostatic molecular markers and cardiovascular risk factors or cardiovascular
diseases.
KEYWORD
Elderly - hemostatic molecular markers - cardiovascular risk factors - cardiovascular
diseases
