HEMOSTATIC FACTORS AND RISK OF CORONARY-A RTERY DISEASE - FIBRINOGEN,TISSUE-PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR AND PLASMINOGEN-ACTIVATOR INHIBITOR-1

The development of IHD in five phases is described, Fibrinogen is a ma jor, independent cardiovascular risk factor. This is documented in six prospective studies. Furthermore fibrinogen is of significant influen ce in the progression of IHD. tPA-Ag, a marker of PAI 1 activity in pl asma, is a new risk indicator for the development and progression of I HD. This is shown by data of the Physicians' Health study and the ECAT -AP study. Experimental and clinical data suggest a role of PAI 1 in t he pathogenesis of IHD, yet PAI 1 is not useful as risk indicator for the progression of the disease. CRP is possibly a marker of disease ac tivity in IHD.