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Thromb Haemost 1995; 73(03): 374-379
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1653783
Original Articles
Clinical Studies
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Association of Variables of Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and Acute-phase with Atherosclerosis in Coronary and Peripheral Arteries and those Arteries Supplying the Brain

Jürgen Heinrich
1   The Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Germany
,
Helmut Schulte
2   Institute of Arteriosclerosis Research, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
,
Rainer Schönfeld
3   LVA-Hospital Salzetal, Bad Salzuflen, Germany
,
Ekkehart Köhler
3   LVA-Hospital Salzetal, Bad Salzuflen, Germany
,
Gerd Assmann
1   The Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Germany
2   Institute of Arteriosclerosis Research, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received14 September 1994

Accepted after revision 14 November 1994

Publication Date:
09 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

We investigated the vessel status of coronary and peripheral arteries and those arteries supplying the brain in 929 consecutive male patients admitted to a coronary rehabilitation unit. The severity of coronary atherosclerosis was scored using coronary angiography. Changes in extracranial brain vessels and manifest cerebrovascular disease (CVD) were determined by B-mode ultrasound and Doppler examination. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) was diagnosed using base-line and stress oscillography. We assessed variables of coagulation, fibrinolysis, and the acute phase response.

There was a significant increase in plasma fibrinogen, plasminogen, d-dimer and C-reactive protein (CRP) with increasing severity of coronary heart disease. Compared to men with unaffected arteries, men with 3 diseased coronary arteries had 58% greater d-dimer concentrations. Patients with CVD and PAD, respectively, also had significantly higher fibrinogen, d-dimer and CRP concentrations. We did not find an association between plasminogen activator inhibitor activity and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.

In conclusion, plasma fibrinogen, d-dimer and CRP concentrations were significantly related to atherosclerosis in the coronary, peripheral and extracranial brain arteries.

 

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