Fibrinogen After Coronary Angioplasty as a Risk Factor for Restenosis

Abstract

Background Fibrinogen is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is related to the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. Its role in restenosis after coronary angioplasty remains unknown. Although platelets and thrombosis contribute to the pathogenesis of restenosis, few clinical data are available concerning the relations between restenosis and proteins of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems. Methods and Results In 107 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angioplasty, we measured plasma levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor–1 (PAI-1), von Willebrand factor, and fibrinogen before and immediately after angioplasty and at a 6-month follow-up. The individual changes of intraluminal diameter were measured by quantitative coronary angiography, and patients were classified according to four definitions of restenosis: (1) a final stenosis >50%, (2) a loss of minimal luminal diameter during the follow-up period greater than the measurement variability in...