Comparison of plasma levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen between the elderly patients with cardiocerebral vascular disease and the elderly or younger healthy persons

Wen YANG; Rong CHU; Shenge WANG; Qian ZENG

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Some studies have revealed that plasma levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen are closely related to blood coagulation status before any occurrence of cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the difference in plasma levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen, two markers of prethrombosis, between elderly patients with cardiovascular or cerebral vascular disease and elderly and younger healthy persons.

DESIGN:

Case analysis based on patients.

SETTING:

Cadre ward of a military general hospital of Chinese PLA.

PARTICIPANTS:

From October 2000 to March 2002, 153 patients with cardiovascular disease and 116 patients with cerebral vascular disease, aging over 60 years, hospitalized in the Second Cadre Ward of the General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA were selected into this study. Meanwhile, healthy persons with normal results of physical examination conducted in this hospital were selected as controls. Of all the control persons,68 with an age less than 60 years were allocated into the younger control group and the other 98 persons were allocated into the elderly control group.

METHODS:

On the second day after hospitalization, a venous blood sample was taken from each patient. For those receiving medications of aspirin, their venous blood samples were taken on the 4th day after withdrawal. The plasmas of the samples were measured by using STA Compact, a fully automatic coagulation analyzer(Diagnostica Stago) and the auxiliary kit. The level of D-dimer was detected by employing the immunoturbidimetry assay(ITA) And the concentration of fibrinogen was measured by using the magnetic bead technologies.MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

The plasma levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen were detected in each group.

RESULTS:

All the 435 participants entered the statistical analysis procedure. The plasma levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen of elderly control group [(0.91 ±0.51) mg/L and (3.69±1.25) g/L] were significantly higher than those of the younger control group[0.48 ± 0. 15) mg/L and(3.12±0.76) g/L] (t=2.39-2.66, P ＜ 0.05) .The plasma levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen of the elderly cardiovascular group [ (1.35 ± 0. 72) mg/L and(4. 16 ± 1.30) mg/L] and the elderly cerebral vascular group [(1.16±0.98) mg/L and(4.05±1.98) g/L]were significantly higher, as compared with the elder control group and the younger control group( t = 4.23-5.41, P ＜ 0.01 ).

CONCLUSION:

Compared to the younger control group, the plasma levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen of elderly population increase significantly, especially in those with cardiovascular disease or cerebral vascular disease.