Plasma Fibrinogen Levels Linked to Plaque Type in Angina Patients

High plasma fibrinogen levels appear to be associated with yellow plaque formation in certain patients with stable angina pectoris, according to Japanese researchers.

Reporting in the June 15th issue of The American Journal of Cardiology, Dr. Kenichirou Nishikawa, of National Defense Medical College, Saitama, and colleagues note that the presence of yellow plaque “has a predictive value for cardiac events in patients with stable angina pectoris.”

To examine any association between coronary plaque morphology and plasma fibrinogen levels, the researchers used percutaneous transluminal coronary angioscopy to study 83 such patients with single-vessel disease. Blood samples were obtained on the morning of the angioscopic procedure.

Yellow plaque was detected in 27 patients (33%) and the remaining patients had white plaque. The plasma fibrinogen levels of those with yellow plaque was significantly higher than those with the white variety.

However, baseline characteristics in the two groups were “remarkably similar,” and there were no significant differences in parameters including plasma lipid levels and total protein level. Thrombus was seen in 13 patients, but there was no significant correlation with fibrinogen levels.

“Our study has demonstrated that the plasma fibrinogen level was associated with coronary plaque morphology in patients with stable angina who had single vessel disease,” Dr. Nishikawa told Reuters Health. Plasma fibrinogen level, he added, “may therefore be a marker of, or one of the confounding factors for, plaque stability.”

Am J Cardiol 2001;87:1401-1404.