The impact of TFPI on coronary atherosclerotic burden.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to associate a coronary artery disease (CAD) presence and severity with endothelial dysfunction (ED), carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI).

BACKGROUND

ED has a central role in atherosclerosis. CIMT and TFPI activity are also related with atherosclerosis and CAD.

METHODS

In our prospective observational study, 50 patients had CAD and 30 had normal coronary arteries. Endothelial function was evaluated by endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and nitroglycerine-mediated dilatation (NMD) measurements. CIMT and Serum TFPI levels were also measured.

RESULTS

TFPI was a statistically significant determinant between the two groups with an increased level in CAD (+) group (84.9 ± 19.3 vs 70.2 ± 14.7, p = 0.001). There was a positive correlation between CIMT and Gensini (r = 0.34, p = 0.014). There was a strong negative correlation between Gensini and FMD-NMD, statistically significant (FMD: r = -0.715, p < 0.001; NMD: r = -0.718, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We observed that ED, increased CIMT and TFPI levels were associated with CAD. Additionally, increased CIMT measurements and decreased FMD and NMD values had a positive correlation with GSS (Tab. 4, Fig. 6, Ref. 50).