Prothrombin fragment 1+2 is a risk factor for myocardial infarction in treated hypertensive men.
BACKGROUND
Haemostatic factors may play a part in the development of acute coronary heart disease.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate as predictors of major coronary events (fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarctions and sudden death) levels of fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, prothrombin fragment 1+2, thrombin-antithrombin complex, plasminogen activator inhibitor activity and C-reactive protein.


METHODS
We studied 131 men, aged 56-77 years, with treated hypertension and at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor (hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes mellitus or smoking). These patients were recruited from a continuing risk factor intervention study. The mean observation time was 3.0 years.


RESULTS
Fourteen patients died and 16 had a major coronary event during the follow-up period. After adjustments for other risk factors, levels of prothrombin fragment 1+2 and C-reactive protein were independent predictors of major coronary events. The other measured haemostatic variables were not significantly associated with major coronary events during follow-up. Fibrinogen and prothrombin fragment 1+2 levels were independent predictors for mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Among treated hypertensive men, levels of prothrombin fragment 1+2 and C-reactive protein were independent predictors of major coronary events.
Agewall
S
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Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, Sweden.
Wikstrand
J
J
Fagerberg
B
B
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012307:Risk Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011498:Protein Precursors; C029733:prothrombin fragment 1; C044183:prothrombin fragment 2; D011516:Prothrombin