Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor in kidney transplant recipient with dyslipidemia.

Kidney transplant recipients are not only prone to dyslipidemia but also have a high risk of cardiovascular death. Impairment of the fibrinolytic system is thought to be one factor playing a role in development of thrombotic complications. Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is a glycoprotein, linking coagulation and fibrinolysis. The purpose of this study was to assess TAFI concentrations and activities in renal transplant recipients stratified based upon serum cholesterol values above 220 mg/dL or below 200 mg/dL. The groups did not differ regarding age, creatinine clearance, BMI, time after transplantation, albumin, fibrinogen, thrombomodulin, or PAP. Additionally, we evaluated thrombin activity (thrombin-antithrombin complex TAT, prothrombin fragments 1 + 2); TAFI activator; thrombomodulin (TM), catalyzer of TAFI activation; and the degree of plasmin generation (plasmin-antiplasmin complex PAP) using commercially available kits. In patients with hyperlipidemia significantly higher TAFI concentrations and activities may contribute to prolonged ECLT and lowered fibrinolytic activity index (FAI). Increased levels of F1 + 2 and TAT were observed in hypercholesterolemic patients, indicating enhanced thrombin generation. Elevated TAFI concentration, and activities and enhanced thrombin generation observed in hypercholesterolemic kidney transplant recipients may contribute to hypofibrinolysis and progression of atherosclerosis in this group of patients.