PubMed2000
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate coagulation and fibrinolysis systems in peri- and postmenopausal women who were qualified for hormone replacement therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In sixty eight peri- and postmenopausal women qualified for hormone replacement therapy under study some coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters were measured in serum--platelet count, prothrombin time, prothrombin ratio, INR, APTT, thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen, D-dimers, TAT, factor VII, activity of antithrombin III, activity of protein C and protein S, PAI-1 and t-PA concentration. Controls were 26 healthy, reproductive women. RESULTS: Out of fifteen examined coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters in six cases there were statistically significant differences between menopausal women and controls:--APTT and TT were shortened (but within normal range) in menopausal group than in controls;--concentration of fibrinogen in menopausal group (also within normal range) was higher than in controls;--activity of factor VII was risen (and outside normal range) in the examined group in comparison to the controls;--activity of protein S was lower in menopausal than in reproductive women;--also concentration of t-PA was lower in the examined group. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Differences in the values of coagulation and fibrinolytic parameters between the menopausal and reproductive groups of women may testify to the increased risk of thrombus formation in women at peri- and postmenopausal age. 2. Impaired fibrinolysis (low t-PA, high PAI-1) together with the rise in activity of factor VII can contribute to the development of ischaemic heart disease in menopausal women.