Plasma fibrinogen - a coronary risk factor

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to measure the levels of fibrinogen in patients of ischaemic heart disease. Fibrinogen levels were determined in 43 patients of ischaemic heart disease and compared with thirty clinically healthy non-smoker controls. Levels of fibrinogen [mean +/- SEM] in patients were 431.51 +/- 7.89 Mg/dl and in controls 241.83 +/- 3.03 Mg/dl [P<0.001]. Patients were also sub-grouped as smokers and non-smokers. Plasma fibrinogen in thirty one non-smokers was 421.51 +/- 9.3 Mg/dl and in twelve smokers fibrinogen was 457.92 +/- 11.59 Mg/dl [P<0.001 when compared to controls] and P<0.05 when smoker patients were compared with non-smoker patients. Fibrinogen can be considered as coronary risk factor. It should be included in the assessment of coronary risk profile alongwith lipid profile and efforts should be made to reduce the elevated levels of fibrinogen. Clinical studies with agents which may reduce fibrinogen levels are needed to reduce the prevalence of coronary artery disease