Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor antigen level in coronary artery disease

Background Thrombosis is one of the most serious complications associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), possibly arising from increased platelet activation and/or loss of the regulation of coagulation and fibrinolysis. Objectives We aimed to measure total thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor antigen (t-TAFI Ag) level in CAD Egyptian patients and correlate its level with the standard risk factors for CAD, to investigate its possible role in the occurrence of atherothrombosis in those patients. Patients and methods Plasma t-TAFI Ag level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 70 CAD patients and 20 healthy sex-matched and age-matched volunteers as a control group. Results Plasma t-TAFI Ag level was higher in CAD patients [both acute coronary syndrome and stable angina groups (groups I and II, respectively)] compared with the control group (P = 0.001), whereas no difference was found in t-TAFI Ag level, neither between group I and II (P = 0.37) nor between subgroups of acute coronary syndrome (P = 0.66). Regarding correlation with risk factors, t-TAFI Ag level was inversely correlated with high-density lipoproteins only in group I (P = 0.02). Conclusion t-TAFI Ag level is increased in CAD Egyptian patients and this increase may play an important role in the occurrence of thrombotic attacks in these patients.