Plasma fibrinogen levels and restenosis after primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Plasma fibrinogen levels influence restenosis following elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for stable angina. It is unknown whether the same is true in the setting of primary PCI. The aim of the study was therefore to assess whether fibrinogen levels were associated to 6-month in-stent restenosis (ISR) in STEMI patients undergoing successful primary PCI. From January 2003 to October 2004, 267 patients were admitted to our Institution for STEMI and treated by primary PCI. Of these, 171 patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in our study. Fibrinogen levels were assessed at admission, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h following PCI and at discharge. Six-month angiographic follow-up was 100% complete. Subjects with 6-month ISR showed higher fibrinogen levels than patients without ISR. Patients in the upper fibrinogen tertile showed a higher 6-month incidence of symptoms and/or inducible myocardial ischemia (27.1% vs. 7.1%, P = 0.006) and a larger late lumen loss (1.3 ± 0.8 vs. 1.0 ± 0.9 mm, P = 0.049). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant and independent association between fibrinogen levels and ISR. Our study suggests that increased plasma fibrinogen levels are related to ISR in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. Larger studies are warranted to assess the prognostic value of fibrinogen over harder endpoints.