The von Willebrand Factor in Myocardial Infarction and Unstable Angina: A Kinetic Study

Summary

Recent studies have demonstrated elevations of von Willebrand Factor following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In order to determine if this parameter may serve as a marker for AMI, we tested the blood levels of vWF and Factor VIII :C in 28 patients with AMI, 9 patients with unstable angina, 7 patients with atypical chest pain, and 25 healthy volunteers. The level of ristocetin cofactor activity of vWF was between 70 and 144% in the control group. In patients with AMI, the mean level of this activity was 175% on the first day following infarction, rose to a peak of 270% on the fifth and sixth days, and was still significantly greater than normal in all patients on the 14th day. The vWF: Ag level closely paralleled the rise of ristocetin cofactor activity of vWF, with a peak of 336% on day 5. FVIII :C was not significantly changed. No significant elevation of vWF was observed in patients with unstable angina. The ristocetin cofactor activity of vWF and vWF: Ag thus are sensitive biochemical indicators for recent AMI, and may serve as useful markers for up to 14 days following infarction, when the traditional enzymes have returned to normal levels.

Keywords

Ristocetin cofactor activity of vWF - vWF: Ag - FVIII: C - Myocardial infarction - Unstable angina - Kinetic study

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