Isolated familial plasminogen deficiency may not be a risk factor for thrombosis

Tait, R.C. , Walker, I.D., Conkie, J.A., Islam, S.I. and McCall, F. (1996) Isolated familial plasminogen deficiency may not be a risk factor for thrombosis. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 76(6), pp. 1004-1008. (doi: 10.1055/s-0038-1650700) (PMID:8972025)

Abstract

Despite many reports of individuals with congenital plasminogen deficiency and thrombosis, there is still uncertainty whether heterozygous deficiency represents a real thrombophilic risk factor or simply a coincidental finding. We have addressed this issue by testing for plasminogen deficiency in a cohort of 9611 blood donors. Out of 66 donors with reduced plasminogen activity on two occasions 28 were shown to have a familial deficiency state (including 3 with dysplasminogenaemia). Our observed prevalence rate for familial plasminogen deficiency, calculated at 2.9/1000 (95% CI = 1.9-4.2 per 1000), was not significantly different from that calculated from published reports of congenital plasminogen deficiency in thrombotic cohorts (5.4/1000). Furthermore, with only two exceptions, all 80 donors and relatives with familial deficiency were asymptomatic with regard to thrombosis-including a 29 year old donor with suspected compound heterozygous hypoplasminogenaemia. These findings add further weight to the argument that familial heterozygous plasminogen deficiency, at least in isolation, does not constitute a significant thrombotic risk factor. However, it remains uncertain whether plasminogen deficiency, when combined with other thrombophilic conditions, may become more clinically important.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Walker, Prof Isobel and Tait, Dr Robert
• Authors: Tait, R.C., Walker, I.D., Conkie, J.A., Islam, S.I., and McCall, F.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Thrombosis and Haemostasis
• Publisher: Georg Thieme
• ISSN: 0340-6245
• ISSN (Online): 2567-689X