COAGULATION, GENETICS AND RESTENOSIS POST ANGIOPLASTY

Throughout the last few decades, different factors have been related t o coronary stenosis which is clinically evidenced by coronary heart di sease, the leading cause of death in developed countries. Different ex perimental models have contributed towards defining some of these fact ors, and to an understanding of the physiopathology of the atheroscler otic lesion. The genetic basis related to individual responses to the same event is currently being established, As endothelial injury repar ative mechanisms are fundamental in atherosclerosis pathogeny, patient s who experiment restenosis after undergoing revascularization procedu res are useful human models in the study of these processes. We review from the literature the genetic factors related to thrombus formation , which may be associated with restenosis after percutaneous translumi nal coronary angioplasty, in order to define the most suitable anticoa gulant therapy for each patient. We refer to the recently characterize d gene for the platelet receptors and its relationship with fibrinogen us, factor Xa, PAI-1, and the involvement of apolipoprotein (a) in the coagulation process.