Haemostatic and fibrinolytic factors in men with a small abdominal aortic aneurysm.
BACKGROUND
: The presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) independently predicts cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its complications. Levels of plasma markers of fibrin turnover are raised in men with a large AAA (at least 5.5 cm) and predict CVD risk in healthy subjects. This study examined fibrin turnover in men with a small AAA.


METHODS
: Seventy-five men with a small AAA (30-55 mm) were compared with 90 controls matched for age, sex and race. Haemostatic and fibrinolytic parameters were assessed.


RESULTS
: Men with a small AAA had higher mean levels of fibrinogen (2.92 versus 2.59 g/l; P = 0.019), thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complex (4.57 versus 1.89 ng/ml; P < 0.001), prothrombin F1 + 2 (1.13 versus 0.82 ng/ml; P = 0.004) and D-dimer (346.7 versus 120.2 ng/ml; P < 0.001). All markers correlated with maximum aortic diameter determined by ultrasonography. On multivariable regression the association between presence of an AAA and fibrinogen, TAT complex, prothrombin F1 + 2 and D-dimer levels remained significant after adjustment for confounding influences.


CONCLUSIONS
: Fibrin turnover was increased in these men with a small AAA, independently of concomitant CVD, conventional risk factors and inflammatory markers. Enhanced fibrin turnover may contribute to the risk of cardiac complications in this group.
Parry
D J
DJ
Leeds Vascular Institute, The General Infirmary, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.
Al-Barjas
H S
HS
Chappell
L
L
Rashid
T
T
Ariëns
R A S
RA
Scott
D J A
DJ
D000368:Aged; D000990:Antithrombin III / Q000378:metabolism; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005337:Fibrin / Q000378:metabolism*; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000378:metabolism; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D005342:Fibrinolysis / Q000502:physiology*; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors
D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C046193:antithrombin III-protease complex; C036309:fibrin fragment D; D000990:Antithrombin III; D005337:Fibrin; D005340:Fibrinogen; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases