Genetic variation in the fibrinogen gene cluster

Abstract

E levated plasma levels of fibrinogen have been identified as a cardiovascular risk factor in a number of epidemiological studies with a range of endpoints, such as acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. The underlying mechanism for this association is still unclear. One explanation for the association can be found in the acute phase character of fibrinogen. Inflammation is an important mechanism in cardiovascular disease and plasma fibrinogen levels will reflect the level of vascular inflammation. However, the fibrinogen and fibrin that are present in the atherosclerotic plaque can directly contribute locally to the progression of atherosclerosis by increasing the chemotaxis of smooth muscle cells, and affecting the structure and stability of the plaque matrix. . . .