Fibrinogen: biochemistry, epidemiology and determinants

Top Cited Papers
Open Access
Abstract
Plasma fibrinogen is an important component of the coagulation cascade, as well as a major determinant of blood viscosity and blood flow. Increasing evidence from epidemiological studies suggests that elevated plasma fibrinogen levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders, including ischaemic heart disease (IHD), stroke and other thromboembolism.1, 2 This increase in plasma fibrinogen levels may promote a prothrombotic or hypercoagulable state, and may in part explain the risk of stroke and thromboembolism in conditions such as atrial fibrillation (AF).