Factors associated with the presence of circulating active tissue factor and activated factor XI in stable angina patients

Abstract

Circulating active tissue factor (TF) and activated factor XI (FXIa) have been detected in subgroups of acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) and stable angina patients. We sought to evaluate the determinants of active TF and FXIa in stable angina patients. We studied 124 consecutive stable angina patients. Recent ACS, atrial fibrillation, and anticoagulant therapy were the exclusion criteria. Plasma active TF and FXIa were determined by measuring the response to inhibitory antibodies. T helper 1 lymphocyte (Th1) and Th2 responses were assessed in plasma by interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α, oxidative stress by 8-isoprostaglandin F(2α) (8-iso-PGF(2α)), and coagulation by prothrombin fragments F1+2 (F1+2) and free TF pathway inhibitor (f-TFPI). TF and FXIa activity were detected in 25 (20.2%) and 49 (39.5%) stable angina patients, respectively. Both factors were found in 23 (18.5%) patients. Patients with detectable TF or FXIa had higher F1+2, 8-iso-PGF(2α), IL-6, but not other cytokines, and lower f-TFPI (all P < 0.001) compared with the remainder. There were no intergroup differences with regard to cardiovascular risk factors or medication. Multivariate analysis showed that F1+2 and f-TFPI were the only independent predictors of the TF presence, whereas 8-iso-PGF(2α) and F1+2 predicted the presence of FXIa in stable angina patients. In stable angina patients, circulating active TF and FXIa are associated with enhanced thrombin formation, with a minor effect of inflammatory mediators. Moreover, FXIa is also related to oxidative stress, indicating additional links between coagulation and free radical generation in stable angina.