Plasma Fibrinogen Levels and Soluble Fibrin Monomer Complexes in Diabetes Mellitus and its Complications

Diabetes mellitus increases the risk for coronary heart disease 2-4 times and atherosclerosis is rapidly progressive. Macrovascular complications are encountered more often in Type-II than in Type-I diabetes. The metabolic disorder might induce vascular lesions and cause haematological abnormalities resulting in tissue hypoxia including glycation of haemoglobin, reduced 2,3 DPG levels, increased platelet aggregation, increased synthesis of thrombogenic thromboxane A2 derivatives, reduced fibrinolytic activity, increased levels of coagulation factors V, VII and increased fibrinogen and Soluble Fibrin Monomer Complexes (SFMC). The net effect of all these changes is an increased blood viscosity, reduced blood flow and decreased delivery of oxygen to tissues ultimately leading to coronary thrombosis.