Thrombophilic molecular markers in young patients (<40 years) with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND

There has been an alarming rise in the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in India especially involving the age group of less than 45 years. In recent past, various studies focused on hemostatic aspects of CAD, but could not determine the significance of thrombophilic molecular marker in combination. The study was undertaken to investigate the association of thrombophilia related molecular markers in young patients with CAD.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Thirty diagnosed patients with CAD of either sex under 40 years were included. Thirty healthy age and sex matched control subjects without evidence of CAD formed the control group. Detailed history and clinical examination findings were recorded. In addition to routine investigations, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based molecular analysis for Factor V Leiden (FVL), methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) gene, and prothrombin gene mutation were carried out.

RESULTS

The mean age (± SD) was 36.86 ± 3.90 years in the patients. Smoking was the most prevalent risk factor. FVL, MTHFR and TNFR2 gene mutation were seen in nine (30%) patient. Three patients had presence of more than one mutation. FVL, MTHFR and TNFR2 gene mutation was found in 4 (13.3%), 3 (10%), and 5 (16.6%) patients respectively. Prothrombin gene mutation was not seen in any of the subjects. There was no significant difference in lipid profile, fibrinogen levels and CRP among the patients with mutation and patients without mutation.

CONCLUSION

Almost one-third of the cases were positive for the various mutations in the study and the presence of at-least one or the other risk factor adds on to the risk of future thrombosis. There is a need to demonstrate or document these mutations in a larger group further based upon ethnicity and geographic distribution.