Relationship between thrombin generation and carotid intima-media thickness.
Increasing evidence indicates that thrombin plays a role not only in thrombosis but also in the progression of atherosclerosis.


OBJECTIVE
The relationship between thrombin generation and intima-media thickness (IMT) as an index of subclinical atherosclerosis was investigated. Participants, material, methods: We examined 163 asymptomatic middle-aged persons free of overt clinical atherosclerotic disease. They underwent ultrasonography of the common carotid arteries. In addition, thrombin generation was measured by means of CAT (calibrated automated thrombography). For our study we divided the healthy study participants into three age groups (<45, 45-60 and >60 years).


RESULTS
A significant positive correlation was seen between endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) (p = 0.012), time to peak (TTP) (p = 0.033) start tail (p = 0.007) and carotid IMT in the group of healthy volunteers younger than 45 years.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated that in adults younger than 45 years without clinically overt atherosclerotic disease ETP was significantly associated with carotid IMT. It is tempting to speculate that ETP may serve as an index for subclinical atherosclerosis in persons below 45 years.
Division of General Paediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Department of Pediatrics, Auenbruggerplatz 30, 8036 Graz, Austria. wolfgang.muntean@meduni-graz.at
H
H
Bernhard
P
P
Wipfler
B
B
Leschnik
M
M
Novak
J
J
Kraus
G
G
Pilz
G
G
Ladurner
W
W
Muntean
D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D012016:Reference Values; D013917:Thrombin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000378:metabolism; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D014463:Ultrasonography
D013917:Thrombin