Role of clotting factors and fibrin structure in predisposition to atherothrombotic disease

Abstract

Atherothrombotic disease is a multifactorial disorder that develops secondary to a complex gene–environment interaction. The formation of an obstructive thrombus represents the final stage of the atherothrombotic process, and understanding the mechanisms involved in clot formation is essential in order to develop new preventive and therapeutic strategies aimed at decreasing mortality and morbidity from the disease. Studies have demonstrated an important correlation between final clot structure and predisposition to atherothrombotic disease. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the final ultrastructure of the clot, which, in turn, influences an individual’s risk of the disease. This paper reviews the factors involved in determining clot structure. The role of commonly used therapeutic agents in modulating clot structure will also be discussed.

Keywords::

• atherothrombosis
• clot structure
• coagulation factors
• coronary artery disease
• fibrinogen
• factor XIII