PROTHROMBIN FRAGMENT 1-INFARCTION IN TREATED HYPERTENSIVE MEN(2 IS A RISK FACTOR FOR MYOCARDIAL)

Background Haemostatic factors may play a part in the development of a cute coronary heart disease. Objective To evaluate as predictors of ma jor coronary events (fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarctions and su dden death) levels of fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, prothrombin f ragment 1+2, thrombin-antithrombin complex, plasminogen activator inhi bitor activity and C-reactive protein. Methods We studied 131 men, age d 56-77 years, with treated hypertension and at least one additional c ardiovascular risk factor (hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes mellitus or smoking). These patients were recruited from a continuing risk factor intervention study. The mean observation time was 3.0 years. Results Fourteen patients died and 16 had a major coronary event during the fo llow-up period. After adjustments for other risk factors, levels of pr othrombin fragment 1+2 and C-reactive protein were independent predict ors of major coronary events. The other measured haemostatic variables were not significantly associated with major coronary events during f ollow-up. Fibrinogen and prothrombin fragment 1+2 levels were independ ent predictors for mortality. Conclusions Among treated hypertensive m en, levels of prothrombin fragment 1+2 and C-reactive protein were ind ependent predictors of major coronary events. (C) 1998 Lippincott-Rave n Publishers.