Epidemiological and genetic associations of activated factor XII concentration with factor VII activity, fibrinopeptide A concentration, and risk of coronary heart disease in men

Background - The relations of plasma activated factor XII (FXIIa) concentration and a common polymorphism (C46T) of the factor XII gene with hemostatic status and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) were examined by prospective surveillance. Methods and Results - Genotyping for the C46T variant was performed in 2624 men 50 to 61 years of age who were free of CHD at baseline. The genotype distribution was as follows: CC, 56.7%; CT; 36.9%; and TT, 6.6%. Plasma FXIIa was measured by ELISA on 1745 samples collected 1 year after baseline; median levels were (ng/mL) CC, 2.0; CT, 1.4; and TT, 0.8 (P<0.0001). Respective values for plasma fibrinopeptide A (FPA, nmol/L) were 1.52, 1.35, and 1.15 (P<0.0001); for factor VII coagulant activity (FVIIc, % standard), 114.5, 116.2, and 109.3 (P=0.02). Group differences in FVIIc were unchanged by adjustment for body mass index and serum triglycerides. Whereas CHD incidence did not differ significantly by genotype, rates (per 1000 person-years) by thirds of FXIIa distribution were for <1.5 ng/mL, 7.2; for 1.5 to 2.0 ng/mL, 7.2; and for >2.0 ng/mL, 13.6. Respective hazard ratios with the low third as reference group were 1.01 and 1.96 (P=0.007), which were essentially unchanged after allowance for genotype, blood lipids, blood pressure, body mass index, FVIIc, and FPA. Conclusions - The C46T polymorphism is a determinant of FXIIa, FPA, and possibly FVIIc, suggesting that FXII influences the activity state of the coagulation pathway and FPA cleavage from fibrinogen in vivo. Plasma FXIIa is increased in middle-aged men at high risk of CHD.