Prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 is associated with intima media thickness of the carotid artery in patients with myocardial infarction

Background and aimPrevious studies have shown that a decreased fibrinolytic activity or a hyperactivated coagulation system increase the risk of myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the presence of atherosclerotic lesions and coagulation and fibrinolysis factors and high sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) in patients with myocardial infarction.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, 123 patients, aged 31-80 years, with a history of previous myocardial infarction were examined with B-mode ultrasound of the common carotid artery. Blood samples were collected for measurements of fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity (PAI-1), von Willebrand factor (vWF), prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 and hs-CRP.ResultsProthrombin fragment 1 + 2 and hs-CRP were significantly (p < 0. 05) and positively associated with common carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT). PAI-1 was significantly (p < 0.05) and negatively associated with IMT. IMT was also significantly associated with systolic blood pressure and age. When IMT was used as an dependent variable and systolic blood pressure, age, PAI-1 and prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 were used as independent variables in the multiple stepwise regression analysis a significant and independent relationship was observed between IMT and systolic blood pressure and age (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe levels of prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 and hs-CRP are associated with intima media thickness in the common carotid artery in patients with previous history of myocardial infarction.