Polymorphism of platelet glycoprotein Ibalpha as a genetic predictor of coronary artery disease

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease caused by the interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental influences. Polymorphisms within platelet membrane antigens have been recognized as a potential risk factor involved in pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Results of different studies on association of platelet membrane polymorphisms and CAD are controversial. The aim of our study was to investigate the frequency of GPIbalpha145Thr/Met (HPA-2) polymorphism among Croatian patients and to assess the relationship between this polymorphism and the prevalence of CAD. 604 patients were enrolled in this investigation and according to the results of coronary angiograms were devided in two groups: 402 patients with coronary angiography confirmed CAD and 202 patients without coronary angiography confirmed CAD (control group). Frequency of genotypes HPA-2ab (Thr/Met) and HPA-2bb (Met/Met) was higher in CAD group than in control group (22.1% vs 21.3% and 1.3% vs 0,5%) but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.654). Among CAD patients, the frequency of Met allele was nonsignificantly higher than among control group patients (0.12 vs 0.11). Statistical analysis showed no significant connection between GPIbalpha145Thr/Met (HPA-2) polymorphism and CAD (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.69 do 1.50). This is in concordance with the results of investigation conducted among central Europeans. The relationship of other platelet glycoprotein polymorphisms and CAD among Croatians remains to be investigated.