Comparison of haemostatic parameters in arterial and venous blood from patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease

Background: Several studies proved the co-existence of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) and hypercoagulability. However, in practice coagu lation parameters are mainly determined from venous blood samples. In this study several coagulation parameters in arterial and venous blood were exam ined for differences and the validity of coagulation parameters determined in venous blood was investigated. Patients and methods: In 22 patients with peripheral artery disease venous and arterial blood samples from vessels of the diseased leg were examined f or the concentration of thrombine-antithrombine III-complex (TAT), prothrom bin fragments (F1 and F2) and D-dimers. and results were compared. Results: Mean concentrations of TATs and prothrombin fragments F1 and F2 we re significantly higher in arterial than in venous blood. TAT-complex was t he most sensitive parameter for quantification of thrombin generation. D-di mer levels did not differ in arterial and venous blood. TAT and F1 and F2 c oncentrations in arterial and venous blood did not correlate in individual patients whereas D-dimer concentration did. Conclusion: The determination of TAT and F1 + F2 in venous blood does not a dequately reflect the degree of the local coagulation activation in the art erial system. As indicators for hypercoagulability, D-Dimer values are less sensitive than F1 + 2, but venous D-dimer concentrations mirror arterial l evels.