FIBRINOGEN AND LEUKOCYTE COUNT IN CORONAR Y-ARTERY DISEASE - CORRELATION TO ANGIOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL DEGREE

In 302 consecutively patients fibrinogen (Clauss method) and leucocyte count were related to the angiographic and clinical degree of coronar y atherosclerosis. Fibrinogen (mg/dl) was statistically higher compare d to control (C, 267 +/- 55) in patients with one-vessel disease (1-vd (306 +/- 67), 2-vd (331 +/- 73), and 3-vd (328 +/- 62)). Patients wit h coronary sclerosis (Sc1, luminal irregularities and/or stenosis unde r 50 %) showed a tendency to higher fibrinogen levels (291 +/- 58) as compared to controls. Leucocyte count (10(9)/L) compared to C (6.7 +/- 1.8) was significantly higher in 1-vd (7.6 +/- 2.0) and 2-vd (7.6 +/- 1.9). A subgroup analysis was performed with 100 patients having seve re forms of angina pectoris (AP III according to the CCS classificatio n, unstable angina). Hundredsixteen patients with unstable angina (390 +/- 79), particularly with angina at rest during the last 48 h were c haracterized by the highest fibrinogen values (423 +/- 89, class III B /C Braunwald). Leucocyte count in patients with stable angina (7.2 +/- 1.4) and angina at rest (9.3 +/- 2.7) was significantly higher as com pared to control (6.7 +/- 1.8). Hyperfibrinogenemia and relative leuco cytosis correlate with the angiographic and clinical extent of coronar y artery disease and may offer evidence of a higher degree of thrombog enesis associated with components of inflammation.