Correlation of factor VIIa values with factor VII gene polymorphism, fasting and postprandial triglyceride levels, and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis

Background-Factor VII plays a pivotal role in coagulation. Factor VIIc leve ls were reported to be a risk factor for fatal coronary heart disease (CHD) . Factor VIIc and VIIag levels were noted to be positively associated with plasma triglyceride (TG) levels and influenced by a VII gene polymorphism. The purpose of this study is to determine whether these associations are re lated to activated factor VII (factor VIIa). Methods and Results-Fasting and 3.5-hour postprandial samples from 216 case s with subclinical atherosclerosis and 341 matched controls selected from t he ARIC cohort were assayed for levels of factors VIIa, VIIc, and VIIag and TG, and factor VII codon 353 gene polymorphism. The level of factor VIIa w as higher in Arg/Arg than in Arg/Gln+Gln/Gln genotypes, and the difference was in accord with that of factors VIIag and VIIc. However, the factor VIIa difference was statistically insignificant. Factor VIIa values were not co rrelated with fasting or 3.5-hour postprandial TG levels, nor were they ass ociated with subclinical atherosclerosis. Conclusions-Factor VIIa levels, like factor VIIag and VIIc levels, are infl uenced by factor VII gene codon 353 polymorphism. However, unlike factor VI Iag or VIIc, factor VIIa is not influenced by TG levels; none of these is a ssociated with subclinical atherosclerosis.