Hemostatic Function and Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

Until recently, our understanding of the role of hemostatic factors in coronary artery disease was based primarily on cross-sectional studies, epidemiologic observations, and cross-cultural comparisons. In the past several years, however, the information derived from prospective epidemiologic studies has expanded considerably. Simultaneously, cell and molecular biologic studies have revealed some of the mechanisms that regulate the plasma levels and biologic activity of hemostatic proteins.The first two reports from the Northwick Park Heart Study, published in 1980 and 1986,^1,2 demonstrated strong, independent associations of base-line plasma fibrinogen concentrations and factor VII coagulant activity with the risk of subsequent coronary . . .