RELATION OF PLASMA COAGULATION-FACTOR VII AND FIBRINOGEN TO CAROTID-ARTERY INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS

Plasma clotting factor VII and plasma fibrinogen have been claimed as independent risk factors for occlusive cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these coagulation parameters affect early atherosclerosis, additional to their possible effect on arterial thrombosis. We used high-resolution quantitative ultrasonogra phy to measure carotid intima-media thickness in 121 healthy volunteer s, aged 18 to 56 years. It has previously been demonstrated that an in creased artery wall thickness is seen in advanced atherosclerosis. To validate our methodology for relatively young individuals, we assessed the association of intima-media thickness with the risk-factor status of our subjects, by including classical cardiovascular risk factors, e. g. age, sex, serum cholesterol, smoking habits and blood pressure. Thereafter, we studied the effect of factor VII and fibrinogen plasma levels on carotid intima-media thickness, as well as that of polymorph isms of the factor VII and fibrinogen genes. All classical risk factor s except smoking and family history were associated with intima-media thickness. When adjusted far by multivariate linear regression analysi s, age, blood pressure and cholesterol appeared to be independent dete rminants of intima-media thickness. Factor W and fibrinogen levels sho wed no association in multivariate analysis with intima-media thicknes s. We conclude that artery wall thickness measurement by ultrasound is a useful tool to investigate the role of clotting factors in early at herosclerosis. Factor Vn and fibrinogen levels in young and middle-age d volunteers have no association with early artherosclerotic vessel wa ll changes.