Comparison of the prevalence of APC-resistance in vascular patients and in a normal population cohort in Western Germany.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the prevalence of APC-resistance (APC-R) in patients with peripheral vascular disease and the general population.


METHODS
Prospective cohort examination.


METHODS
Three hundred and eleven patients (group A) suffering from arterial occlusive disease or an abdominal aortic aneurysm were prospectively screened for APC-R. There were 228 men and 83 women with a mean age of 65 years (20-88 years). Two hundred and sixty patients underwent an open surgical or interventional procedure. A total of 306 patients were followed clinically for an average of 8 months (1-31 months). Two hundred and seven healthy volunteers (group B) served as a control group.


RESULTS
The prevalence of a functional APC-R was 11% (33/311) and 8% in groups A and B, respectively, (p = 0.272). APC-R did not occur more frequently among patients who were treated primarily for a bypass occlusion (3/21 vs 30/290) (p = 0.476). None of five patients who had a postinterventional graft or vessel occlusion (1.9%) had an APC-R. Sixteen patients (5%) experienced an arterial occlusion during follow-up of which two had APC-R.


CONCLUSIONS
Previously published increased prevalence rates of APC-R in patients with arterial disorders could not be confirmed in this study. A firm association between the presence of APC-R and previous bypass occlusion or postoperative failure of the vascular reconstruction could not be demonstrated.
Aleksic
M
M
Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Visceral and Vascular Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. marko.aleksic@uk-koeln.de
Jahn
P
P
Heckenkamp
J
J
Wielckens
K
K
Brunkwall
J
J
D020016:Activated Protein C Resistance / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005165:Factor V / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies
C095381:factor V Leiden; D005165:Factor V