Factor XIII Val34Leu polymorphism and recurrent myocardial infarction in patients with coronary artery disease

J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2014 Oct;38(3):380-7. doi: 10.1007/s11239-014-1059-4.

Abstract

Factor XIII (FXIII) is necessary for cross linking of fibrin strands and generation of stable fibrin clot. FXIII Val34Leu is a common genetic single nucleotide polymorphism that has been associated with accelerated fibrin stabilization and reduced rate of fibrinolysis. The contribution of Val34Leu to long term risk of recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with coronary stenting has not been conclusively established. The objective of the study was to examine the effects of Val34Leu on fibrin generation, platelet aggregation, and long term clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease treated with dual antiplatelet therapy. Patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease who were treated with aspirin and clopidogrel were enrolled (n = 211). Light transmittance aggregometry and plasma fibrin clot formation using thrombelastography (TEG) were determined. Genotyping of Val34Leu was performed using Taqman assay. Clinical events during follow up were recorded. Homozygous carriers of 34 Leu variant had significantly shorter fibrin clot formation time as compared to wild type individuals (TEG K: 1.27 ± 0.3 vs. 1.68 ± 1.1 min, p = 0.011). The Val34Leu variant was associated with gene dose dependent increased risk of MI (log rank, p = 0.002) or occurrence of composite of MI and CV death (log rank, p = 0.005) with highest event rates observed in homozygous carriers of 34 Leu. In summary, FXIII Val34Leu polymorphism was associated with increased rate of fibrin stabilization in homozygous carriers of the variant and may increase risk of recurrent MI and death in patients with angiographically established coronary artery disease treated with dual antiplatelet therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Aspirin / administration & dosage
  • Clopidogrel
  • Coronary Artery Disease* / blood
  • Coronary Artery Disease* / complications
  • Coronary Artery Disease* / drug therapy
  • Coronary Artery Disease* / genetics
  • Factor XIII* / genetics
  • Factor XIII* / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fibrin / genetics
  • Fibrin / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction* / blood
  • Myocardial Infarction* / drug therapy
  • Myocardial Infarction* / etiology
  • Myocardial Infarction* / genetics
  • Platelet Aggregation / drug effects
  • Platelet Aggregation / genetics
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Thrombelastography
  • Ticlopidine / administration & dosage
  • Ticlopidine / analogs & derivatives

Substances

  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Fibrin
  • Factor XIII
  • Clopidogrel
  • Ticlopidine
  • Aspirin