[Should hemostatic factors be considered in the prevention of cardiovascular disease?].

The relationship between thrombosis and atherosclerosis has been already suggested in the middle of the last century. More recently, in 1976 a hypothesis has been put forward which emphasize the leading role of chronic injury to endothelial cells followed by platelet attachment and the release of platelet derived growth factors in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. There is also a growing body of evidence that cytokines, thrombin and the fibrinolytic system are involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. Lipoprotein (a) is emerging as a link between atherogenic role of lipids and the haemostatic system. At the same time epidemiological data are pointing at the possible role of fibrinogen, factor VII and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 as risk factors for ischemic heart disease. Thrombus formation is also responsible for the majority of acute coronary syndromes. On the other hand aspirin and other antiplatelet drugs seem to protect from vascular complications of atherosclerosis. Than the question which rather arises is: what is the best antithrombotic strategy in patients with cardiovascular diseases?