Tousoulis Dimitris, Davies Graham, Ambrose John, Tentolouris Costas, Stefanadis Christodoulos, Toutouzas Pavios
Cardiology Unit, Hippokration Hospital, Athens University Medical School, S. Karagiorga 69, Greece.
Int J Cardiol. 2002 Dec;86(2-3):239-47. doi: 10.1016/s0167-5273(02)00300-5.
Cholesterol lowering therapy markedly reduces the frequency of subsequent cardiovascular events and is associated with a modest degree of angiographic regression of atherosclerotic lesions. There is a strong association between lipids and fibrinogen, plasminogen activator-1, and activated factor VII levels. Low density lipoprotein may be thrombogenic whereas high density lipoprotein protects against thrombosis. Lipoprotein (a) may affect atherosclerosis and thrombosis mainly by binding to fibrin and attenuating the fibrin-enhanced plasminogen activation. Tissue factor-complex initiates coagulation by activating factor X and factor IX leading in the presence of calcium to the generation of thrombin. Lipid lowering treatment with statins stabilizes atheromatous plaque and has antithrombotic effects. Therefore there are links between lipids and the haemostatic mechanisms which affect atherosclerotic, vasomotor and thrombotic components of ischemic heart disease.
