Does Hemophilia Protect Against Atherosclerosis? A Case-Control Study

• Published in: Clinical and applied thrombosis/hemostasis 2006-04, Vol.12 (2), p.193-198
• Main Authors: Bilora, Franca, Zanon, Ezio, Petrobelli, Francesco, Cavraro, Monica, Prandoni, Paolo, Pagnan, Antonio, Girolami, Antonio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Arteries - diagnostic imaging; Atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis - diagnostic imaging; Atherosclerosis - epidemiology; Case-Control Studies; Comorbidity; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; Electrocardiography; Factor VIII - analysis; Factor VIII - physiology; Hemophilia; Hemophilia A - complications; Hemophilia A - epidemiology; Humans; Incidence; Middle Aged
• ISSN: 1076-0296; 1938-2723
• DOI: 10.1177/107602960601200207

Whether carriers of hemophilia are protected against the development of atherosclerosis is controversial. In a case-control study, the presence of atherosclerosis was assessed and quantified with echo-color Doppler of all explorable arterial districts in 50 carriers of hemophilia and in 50 age-matched control individuals. All participants submitted to echo-color Doppler of carotid and femoral axis, of brachial arteries, and of the abdominal aorta. The presence and grade of atherosclerotic plaques were assessed, as well as the intima-media thickness (IMT). At least one atherosclerotic plaque was found in six cases (12.0%) versus 15 controls (30.0%); referring to the total number of plaques, 30% of them were evaluated in patients affected by decreased coagulation while 70% in subjects with normal levels of FVIII. In all the examined districts, the mean IMT was significantly lower in patients with hemophilia than in controls. Hemophilia protects against asymptomatic atherosclerosis.