Does hemophilia protect against atherosclerosis? A case-control study.
Whether carriers of hemophilia are protected against the development of atherosclerosis is controversial. In a case-control study, the presence of atherosclerosis was assessed and quantified with echo-color Doppler of all explorable arterial districts in 50 carriers of hemophilia and in 50 age-matched control individuals. All participants submitted to echo-color Doppler of carotid and femoral axis, of brachial arteries, and of the abdominal aorta. The presence and grade of atherosclerotic plaques were assessed, as well as the intima-media thickness (IMT). At least one atherosclerotic plaque was found in six cases (12.0%) versus 15 controls (30.0%); referring to the total number of plaques, 30% of them were evaluated in patients affected by decreased coagulation while 70% in subjects with normal levels of FVIII. In all the examined districts, the mean IMT was significantly lower in patients with hemophilia than in controls. Hemophilia protects against asymptomatic atherosclerosis.
Bilora
Franca
F
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Chair of Internal Medicine, University of Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy. franca.bilora@sanita.padova.it
Zanon
Ezio
E
Petrobelli
Francesco
F
Cavraro
Monica
M
Prandoni
Paolo
P
Pagnan
Antonio
A
Girolami
Antonio
A
D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged
D005169:Factor VIII