ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the hypothesis that insufficiency of the fibrinolytic system, the cause unstable coronary syndromes or acute myocardial infarctions. A transient, mild decrease was observed in plasminogen-kringle-IV-binding protein tetranectin, histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG), urokinase (UK) antigen, and pro-UK concentrations. In most patients with acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina, atherosclerotic lesions in combination with coronary thrombosis are found. The curve for tetranectin shows a typical negative acute-phase reaction that is most pronounced in the acute myocardial infarction group. A mild negative acute-phase reaction was also observed for the other nonenzymatic plasminogen-binding glycoprotein histidine-rich glycoprotein and for pro-UK and urokinase antigen. The longitudinal parts of the study revealed normal values on admission, a rapid rise of Plasminogen activator inhibitoractivity, with a peak at 24 h after onset of symptoms, followed by a gradual decrease. An apparent but nonsignificant trend towards lower HRG and plasminogen values was observed in the non-Q-wave group.
