30-Oct-2001
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Arch Hellen Med, 2000, 17(Supplement):115-118
ORIGINAL PAPER
Molecular and biological hemostasis markers in healthy
offspring
of patients with coronary artery disease
A. GIALERAKI, A. HATZIZACHARIAS, Th. MAKRIS, C. TSOUKALA,
E. CHRONAKIS,
J. ANASTASOPOULOU, V. VOTTEAS, M. KYRIAKIDIS, T. MANDALAKI
2nd Regional Blood
Transfusion and Haemophilia Center, Department of Cardiology,
"Laikon" General Hospital, Athens, Greece
OBJECTIVE It is well established
that coronary disease is the most common cause of death in the developed world.
Recent data suggest that the genetic profile of the patient is a risk factor
for the development of CAD. The aim of the current study was to study whether
the DD haplotype of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) I/D polymorphism is
related to increased incidence of CAD, since increased levels of fibrinogen
and fibrin degradation products have already been established as risk factors.
METHOD We have studied 68 healthy offspring of
patients with early onset of coronary disease concerning the prevalence of DD
genotype and its relation to fibrinogen, FDP and D-dimer plasma levels.
RESULTS The offspring presented with a prevalence
comparable to the general population in contrast to their parents. The offsprings
with DD haplotype had significantly higher levels of fibrinogen, FDP and D-dimer
compared to the offspring with ID or II (345±42/281±34/267±25 mg/dL, 270±60/240±55/238±25
ng/L, 320±70/280±65/275±57 ng/mL, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that healthy
offsprings of patients with early CAD who present the DD haplotype should be
considered as a high risk group and thus be regularly followed up.
Key words: ACE genotype, Coronary artery disease, D-dimers, Fibrin degradation products, Fibrinogen.