Prothrombin fragment 1+2 is a risk factor for myocardial infarction in treated hypertensive men

BACKGROUND: Haemostatic factors may play a part in the development of acute coronary heart disease. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate as predictors of major coronary events (fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarctions and sudden death) levels of fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, prothrombin fragment 1+2, thrombin-antithrombin complex, plasminogen activator inhibitor activity and C-reactive protein. METHODS: We studied 131 men, aged 56-77 years, with treated hypertension and at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor (hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes mellitus or smoking). These patients were recruited from a continuing risk factor intervention study. The mean observation time was 3.0 years. RESULTS: Fourteen patients died and 16 had a major coronary event during the follow-up period. After adjustments for other risk factors, levels of prothrombin fragment 1+2 and C-reactive protein were independent predictors of major coronary events. The other measured haemostatic variables were not significantly associated with major coronary events during follow-up. Fibrinogen and prothrombin fragment 1+2 levels were independent predictors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Among treated hypertensive men, levels of prothrombin fragment 1+2 and C-reactive protein were independent predictors of major coronary events.