Comparison of haemostatic parameters in arterial and venous blood from patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

Background: Several studies proved the co-existence of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) and hypercoagulability. However, in practice coagulation parameters are mainly determined from venous blood samples. In this study several coagulation parameters in arterial and venous blood were examined for differences and the validity of coagulation parameters determined in venous blood was investigated.
Patients and Methods: In 22 patients with peripheral artery disease venous and arterial blood samples from vessels of the diseased leg were examined for the concentration of thrombine-antithrombine III-complex (TAT), prothrombin fragments (F1 and F2) and D-dimers, and results were compared.
Results: Mean concentrations of TATs and prothrombin fragments F1 and F2 were significantly higher in arterial than in venous blood. TAT-complex was the most sensitive parameter for quantification of thrombin generation. D-dimer levels did not differ in arterial and venous blood. TAT and F1 and F2 concentrations in arterial and venous blood did not correlate in individual patients whereas D-dimer concentration did.
Conclusion: The determination of TAT and F1 + F2 in venous blood does not adequately reflect the degree of the local coagulation activation in the arterial system. As indicators for hypercoagulability, D-Dimer values are less sensitive than F1 + 2, but venous D-dimer concentrations mirror arterial levels.