D-dimer, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-I) activity at rest and
after exercise, and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity after
exercise were measured in venous blood in 88 patients,vith altheroscl
erotic lesions of various degrees. According to clinical symptoms, cor
onary angiography (GAG), ultrasound Doppler signal and duplex and colo
ur Doppler scanning of carotid arteries and their branches, subclavian
, vertebral and peripheral arteries of the lower limbs, patients were
divided into four groups Group 1, 16 men,without CAG and ultrasound si
gns of atherosclerotic lesions; group 2, 27 patients with GAG-confirme
d coronary artery disease; group 3, 18 patients with peripheral artery
occlusive disease; group 4, 27 patients with coexistence of two or mo
re regions of atherosclerotic lesions. D-dimer was the highest in pati
ents with the most extensive atherosclerosis: 432 +/- 164 ng. ml(-1) i
n group 3, 429 +/- 98 ng. ml(-1) in group 4 vs 163 +/- 125 ng. ml(-1)
in group 2, P < 0.05. There were correlations (P < 0.05) between: age
and D-dimer (r = 0.29); D-dimer and t-PA (r = 0.34); D-dimer and PAI-1
, r = -0.29. Patients were also analysed according to D-dimer level. I
n patients with the highest level of D-dimer, the lowest level of PAI-
1 activity and the highest level of t-PA activity after exercise there
observed The low PAI-1 activity is probably the result of an increase
d release of t-PA in these patients.