Protein C, protein S and antithrombin III deficiencies in retinal vein occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
The role of decreased levels of protein C, protein S and antithrombin III were investigated in patients with branch and central retinal vein occlusion.


METHODS
Forty-five patients with retinal vein occlusion and 20 healthy subjects as a control group was studied. Fourteen patients (31%) had central retinal vein occlusion and 31 (69%) had branch retinal vein occlusion. The concentrations of protein C, protein S and antithrombin III were measured.


RESULTS
Plasma levels of protein C, protein S and antithrombin III were not reduced in the control group. Six of the 14 central retinal vein occlusion cases and 3 of the 31 retinal branch vein occlusion cases had decreased levels of protein C. One of the 14 central retinal vein occlusion cases and 1 of the 31 retinal branch vein occlusion cases had decreased levels of protein S. Antithrombin III was reduced in 1 patient of the 31 retinal branch vein occlusions. We found statistically significant differences for number of cases with protein C deficiency between the central retinal vein occlusion cases and the branch retinal vein occlusion cases (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Deficiency of anticoagulant proteins, especially protein C, may play a role in the etiology of retinal vein occlusion. Measurement of these parameters may be useful in preventing venous thrombosis elsewhere in the body.
Tekeli
O
O
Ankara Numune Hospital, 2. Eye Clinic Ankara, Turkey. tekeli@dialup.ankara.edu.tr
Gürsel
E
E
Buyurgan
H
H
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011486:Protein C / Q000378:metabolism*; D020151:Protein C Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D017293:Protein S / Q000378:metabolism*; D018455:Protein S Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D011486:Protein C; D017293:Protein S