Urokinase-type plasminogen activator system predicts risk of cardiovascular events in patients with angina pectoris: results of the ECAPTURE study. European Concerted Action on Prevention from Thrombosis by URokinase Enhancement.
In most Westernized societies cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death over the age of 45 years and one-quarter of these deaths occur in men below the age of 65 years. The haemostasis system has been identified as an important system in cardiovascular disease (CVD). The European Concerted Action on Prevention from Thrombosis by URokinase Enhancement (ECAPTURE) has focused on the contribution of the urokinase system to CVD. In 2298 patients with angina pectoris the relationship between plasma levels of single-chain urokinase (scu-PA), urokinase antigen (u-PA) and u-PA-inhibitor complex and the risk of cardiovascular events (n = 84) during a 2 year follow-up period was studied. Plasma levels of total u-PA and u-PA-inhibitor complex predicted the risk of cardiovascular events, the adjusted relative risks of the highest quintile versus the lowest were 2.71 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.34-5.48] and 2.34 (95% CI, 1.08-5.11), respectively. These results suggest that the urokinase system plays a role in cardiovascular disease.
de Maat
M P
MP
Department of Vascular and Connective Tissue Research, Gaubius Laboratory TNO-PG, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Dooijewaard
G
G
Meijer
P
P
Binder
B R
BR
Keber
D
D
Risberg
B
B
Kluft
C
C
Jespersen
J
J
D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000097:blood*; D000792:Angiography; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011786:Quality Control; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000097:blood*
D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator