Diminished Response to Activated Protein C is not Correlated with Severity of Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease
H. Köppel; Renner, W.; Krippl, P.; T.Wascher, C.; Pilger, E.
Clinical Laboratory 50(11-12): 689-693
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 1433-6510 PMID: 15575311 Document Number: 8721
Introduction: Poor response to activated Protein C (APC) is a well established risk factor for venous thromboembolism. More recently, the hypercoagulable state which results from diminished response to APC has also been associated with arterial thrombosis. Some studies showed a clear association between low response to APC with advanced arterial disease, others, however, failed to support these data. Thus, there is ongoing dispute about the impact of a hypercoagulable state upon progression of atherosclerosis. Material and Methods: We investigated APC ratios and the existence of Factor V Leiden in 800 patients with documented peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD). Clinical symptoms according to Fontaine stages II (intermittent claudication), III (rest pain) and IV (gangrene) and the ankle/brachial index served as parameters for the severity of PAD. Results: There was no association between low response to APC or existence of Factor V Leiden and the clinical stage of PAD or ankle/ brachial index. Conclusion: Our data suggest that poor response to APC is not correlated with the severity of peripheral arterial occlusive disease.
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