TFPI antigen and activity levels in patients with asymptomatic atherosclerosis and target organ acute and chronic complications

AIM: In patients with atherosclerosis there is an activation of the tissue factor mediated coagulation cascade. The aim of our study was to ascertain if there is a relationship between increased tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) antigen and activity plasma levels and atherosclerosis. METHODS: Design: case-control study. Setting: Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Palermo and Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. Patients: 63 consecutive patients with asymptomatic atherosclerosis or with its acute or chronic complications, and 20 healthy volunteers. Measurements: TFPI antigen was detected by an immunoenzima…