Pilot study of a screening test for peripheral arterial disease in middle aged men: fibrinogen as a possible risk factor

Abstract

A simple one minute exercise test was used as a screening test for asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease in a sample of 100 men in their sixth decade with no previous referrals for cardiovascular disease. Other investigations included resting ECG, non-invasive carotid artery assessment, and plasma biochemical analysis. Of these 100 men (mean age 56), 10 had evidence of peripheral disease on exercise testing, four had ischaemic changes on resting ECG, and one showed evidence of carotid artery stenosis. A total therefore of 15 out of 100 (15%) had asymptomatic arterial disease. These 15 men had increased concentrations of plasma fibrinogen (4.3(0.7) g.litre-1) compared with men with no evidence of arterial disease (3.5(0.7) g.litre-1; p less than 0.01). The one minute exercise test is a useful screening test for peripheral arterial disease, and this pilot study suggests that raised plasma fibrinogen concentrations may be an important risk factor.

Fibrinogen, D-Dimer and Thrombin-Antithrombin Complexes in a Random Population Sample: Relationships with Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors

“…it is commonly accepted that fibrinogen correlates with coronary heart disease, cardiovascular death, stable claudication (3, 6-8; 10). extension of atherosclerotic lesions (11,39,40) and a number of risk factors. Smoking seems to influence fibrinogenemia greatly.…”

Are cerebral aneurysms atherosclerotic?

“…Healthy control subjects, 56 men and 37 women, were recruited consecutively from an occupational cardiovascular screening program (1989 to 1990) and had a median age of 44 years (range, 25 to 64 years); the screening procedure for carotid, coronary, and peripheral arterial disease was as described previously. 7 From the blood sample, plasma was separated for the determination of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by Mg 2+ dextran precipitation, apolipoprotein (apo) B by end-point immunonephelometry, cotinine by gas-liquid chromatography, and haptoglobin and a^antitrypsin phenotype by poryacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral leukocytes.…”

First Experiences with the Heparin-lnduced Extracorporeal Low-Density Lipoprotein Precipitation in the Treatment of Critical Limb Ischaemia: A New Therapeutical Approach?

“…These findings have also been confirmed by experimental trials [9], The measurement of plasma fibrinogen was even described as a powerful screening test for asymptomatic stages of PAOD [8],…”

“…Several trials provide strong evidence that fibrinogen may hold a key position in the development of obstructive vascular diseases and peripheral atherosclerotic occlusive dis ease (PAOD) [8]. These findings have also been confirmed by experimental trials [9], The measurement of plasma fibrinogen was even described as a powerful screening test for asymptomatic stages of PAOD [8],…”