Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disease with multisystemic manifestations. Studies either held on stable disease patients or during exacerbations, have demonstrated that COPD is strongly related to venous thromboembolism and cardiovascular events. The aim of the present review of the literature was to provide an in‐depth overview regarding the alterations of coagulations factors and prothrombotic changes generated in patients with stable COPD and during COPD exacerbations.
The risk of VTE during acute exacerbations of COPD appears to be significant [64]. In 1144 patients with COPD admitted to hospital with acute exacerbation, the VTE rate was 6.8% (78 patients). This could be underestimated due to the poor sensitivity of ultrasound for asymptomatic DVT [65]. This study excluded patients with previous thromboembolism, cancer, or heart failure, suggesting that COPD itself or the concurrent reduced mobility play important roles in the vulnerability to VTE. Furthermore Kim et al. exhibited that higher fibrinogen levels (>350 mg/dl) were associated with frequent exacerbations and COPD severity [66].
The risk of VTE during acute exacerbations of COPD appears to be significant [64]. In 1144 patients with COPD admitted to hospital with acute exacerbation, the VTE rate was 6.8% (78 patients). This could be underestimated due to the poor sensitivity of ultrasound for asymptomatic DVT [65]. This study excluded patients with previous thromboembolism, cancer, or heart failure, suggesting that COPD itself, or the concurrent reduced mobility, play important roles in vulnerability to VTE. Furthermore Kim et al., demonstrated that higher fibrinogen levels (>350 mg/dL) were associated with frequent exacerbations and COPD severity [66].In the study by Saldias et al. fibrinogen levels of COPD patients were examined at stable phase and during AECOPD, and were significantly higher during AECOPD. Interestingly, fibrinogen levels were reduced 15 and 30 days after AECOPD, nevertheless still remained higher than levels at stable phase [67]. In another study, fibrinogen levels of AECOPD patients were compared to convalescence values, 40 days after exacerbation, and were found to be significantly higher during AECOPD [68]. Similarly, in the study by Valipour et al. fibrinogen levels of stable COPD patients were significantly higher compared to those of healthy controls. Furthermore, fibrinogen levels of patients with AECOPD were significantly higher compared to convalescence values (6 weeks after AECOPD) and to those of the healthy controls [69]. Moreover, in the study by Wedzicha et al. including patients with COPD, the plasma fibrinogen levels were elevated during exacerbation compared to baseline values [34]. Thomas and Yuvarajan, examined fibrinogen levels in patients with stable COPD, patients with AECOPD and control subjects. Stable COPD patients exhibited higher levels compared to healthy subjects. Moreover fibrinogen levels were further increased during exacerbation compared to stable COPD patients. Among COPD patients, fibrinogen was significantly associated with severity of obstruction [70]. These 5 studies illustrate that fibrinogen levels are elevated during AECOPD compared either to convalescence values or healthy subjects.
In the study by Saldias et al., fibrinogen levels of COPD patients were examined at stable phase and during AECOPD and were significantly higher during AECOPD. Interestingly, fibrinogen levels were reduced 15 and 30 days after AECOPD, nevertheless still remained higher than levels at stable phase [67]. In another study, fibrinogen levels of AECOPD patients were compared to convalescence values, 40 days after exacerbation, and were found to be significantly higher during AECOPD [68]. Similarly, in the study by Valipour et al., fibrinogen levels of stable COPD patients were significantly higher compared to those of healthy controls. Furthermore, fibrinogen levels of patients with AECOPD were significantly higher compared to convalescence values (6 weeks after AECOPD) and to those of the healthy controls [69]. Moreover, in the study by Wedzicha et al., including patients with COPD, the plasma fibrinogen levels were elevated during exacerbation compared to baseline values [34]. Thomas and Yuvarajan, examined fibrinogen levels in patients with stable COPD, patients with AECOPD and control subjects. Stable COPD patients exhibited higher levels compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, fibrinogen levels were further increased during exacerbation compared to stable COPD patients. Among COPD patients, fibrinogen was significantly associated with severity of obstruction [70]. These 5 studies illustrate that fibrinogen levels are elevated during AECOPD compared either to convalescence values or healthy subjects.Maclay et al. compared the levels of fibrinogen and platelet-monocyte aggregates (a sensitive marker of platelet activation that are raised in patients with acute coronary syndromes, smokers and in those with rheumatoid arthritis) between patients with stable COPD and healthy controls, detecting significantly higher levels among COPD patients of both fibrinogen and platelet-monocyte aggregates. D-dimer levels did not differ significantly between the two groups. Subsequently platelet-monocyte aggregates of 12 COPD patients during AECOPD were compared to convalescence values, 2 weeks after AECOPD, being higher during AECOPD [71]. Song et al. included 60 patients with AECOPD, 30 of which had acute respiratory failure type II and 30 did not have respiratory failure. COPD patients with respiratory failure type II demonstrated higher levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen. Moreover, in the group of COPD patients with respiratory failure type II, D-dimer and fibrinogen levels had significantly positive correlations with PaCO2 and negative correlations with PO2, highlighting the contribution of hypoxia and hypercapnia to prothrombotic tendency [72].
Maclay et al., compared the levels of fibrinogen and platelet-monocyte aggregates (a sensitive marker of platelet activation which is raised in patients with acute coronary syndromes, smokers, and in those with rheumatoid arthritis) between patients with stable COPD and healthy controls, detecting significantly higher levels among COPD patients of both fibrinogen and platelet-monocyte aggregates. D-dimer levels did not differ significantly between the two groups. Subsequently, platelet-monocyte aggregates of 12 COPD patients during AECOPD were compared to convalescence values, 2 weeks after AECOPD, being higher during AECOPD [71]. Song et al., included 60 patients with AECOPD, of which 30 had acute respiratory failure type II and 30 did not have respiratory failure. COPD patients with respiratory failure type II demonstrated higher levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen. Moreover, in the group of COPD patients with respiratory failure type II, D-dimer and fibrinogen levels had significantly positive correlations with PaCO2 and negative correlations with PO2, highlighting the contribution of hypoxia and hypercapnia to prothrombotic tendency [72].Van der Vorm et al. demonstrated that fibrinogen, FVIII, maximum amount of thrombin (nM/min), vWF Ag, and vWF Ac, were significantly elevated during AECOPD compared to convalescence values (8 weeks after AECOPD) [73]. Similarly, in the study by Elsalam et al. including patients with AECOPD and healthy control subjects, higher levels of soluble fibrin complex, D-dimers, TAT and fibrinogen were observed in COPD patients. In further analysis patients with severe COPD illustrated higher levels of soluble fibrin complex, D-dimer, TAT and fibrinogen, compared to patients with moderate disease. However there was no statistically significant difference between COPD patients and control subjects regarding the level of AT, protein C and protein S [74]. Daga et al. studied the levels of fibrinogen, vWF Ag, PT and aPTT between patients with AECOPD and with stable disease. Fibrinogen and vWF Ag levels were higher during AECOPD, while no difference was observed for PT and aPTT [75]. In the study by Zhang et al. levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen were elevated in COPD patients compared to controls. Among the COPD patients, D-dimer and fibrinogen levels were further increased during exacerbation compared to the stable phase [12]. These 4 studies exhibit that during AECOPD, D-dimer, TAT, vWF, and FVIII levels are amplified compared to stable COPD values.
Van der Vorm et al., demonstrated that fibrinogen, FVIII, maximum amount of thrombin (nM/min), vWF Ag, and vWF Ac, were significantly elevated during AECOPD compared to convalescence values (8 weeks after AECOPD) [73]. Similarly, in the study by Elsalam et al., including patients with AECOPD and healthy control subjects, higher levels of soluble fibrin complex, D-dimers, TAT and fibrinogen were observed in COPD patients. In further analysis, patients with severe COPD illustrated higher levels of soluble fibrin complex, D-dimer, TAT, and fibrinogen, compared to patients with moderate disease. However, there was no statistically significant difference between COPD patients and control subjects regarding the level of AT, protein C, and protein S [74]. Daga et al., studied the levels of fibrinogen, vWF Ag, PT, and aPTT between patients with AECOPD and with stable disease. Fibrinogen and vWF Ag levels were higher during AECOPD, while no difference was observed for PT and aPTT [75]. In the study by Zhang et al., levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen were elevated in COPD patients compared to controls. Among the COPD patients, D-dimer and fibrinogen levels were further increased during exacerbation compared to the stable phase [12]. These 4 studies show that during AECOPD, D-dimer, TAT, vWF, and FVIII levels are amplified compared to stable COPD values.Husebø et al. demonstrated that during AECOPD, all markers were higher than in the stable state; TAT, APC-PCI and D-dimer. Higher D-dimer in stable COPD predicted a higher mortality (HR: 1.60 (1.24-2.05), p<0.001). Higher TAT was associated with both an increased risk of later exacerbations, with a yearly incidence rate ratio of 1.19 (1.04-1.37), and a faster time to the first exacerbation (HR: 1.25 (1.10-1.42)) (p=0.001, for both after adjustment) [76]. In the study by Roland et al. examining TF levels in patients with COPD, during COPD exacerbation and 4-6 weeks later, TF levels were significantly higher during COPD exacerbation, while there was no correlation observed between the rise in TF, infection symptoms, and oxygen saturation during exacerbation; treatment with antibiotics or corticosteroids and TF levels during and after COPD exacerbation [77]. These 2 studies demonstrate that TAT, APC-PCI, D-dimer, and TF levels are increased during AECOPD compared to stable COPD.
Husebø et al., demonstrated that during AECOPD, all markers were higher than in the stable state; TAT, APC-PCI and D-dimer. Higher D-dimer in stable COPD predicted a higher mortality (HR: 1.60 (1.24–2.05), p < 0.001). Higher TAT was associated with both an increased risk of later exacerbations, with a yearly incidence rate ratio of 1.19 (1.04–1.37), and a faster time to the first exacerbation (HR: 1.25 (1.10–1.42)) (p = 0.001, for both after adjustment) [76]. In the study by Roland et al., examining TF levels in patients with COPD, during COPD exacerbation and 4–6 weeks later, TF levels were significantly higher during COPD exacerbation, while there was no correlation observed between the rise in TF, infection symptoms, and oxygen saturation during exacerbation; treatment with antibiotics or corticosteroids and TF levels during and after COPD exacerbation [77]. These 2 studies demonstrate that TAT, APC-PCI, D-dimer, and TF levels are increased during AECOPD compared to stable COPD.Alterations of coagulation factors and inhibitors in patients with stable COPD and during COPD exacerbations are summarized in
Alterations of coagulation factors and inhibitors in patients with stable COPD and during COPD exacerbations are summarized in Table 1.
Author, year |
Participants |
Disease status Results | |
Agale, 2018 [56] |
50 patients with stable COPD vs. 50 healthy controls |
Stable COPD |
· Fibrinogen (mg/dl) (455.38±159.71 vs. 255.50±7.98) |
Arregui, 2010 [57] |
51 patients with stable COPD vs. 30 healthy controls |
Stable COPD |
· Fibrinogen (mg/dl) (469.7 vs. 334.7) · D-dimers (μg/l) (339.3 vs. 244.7) · Factor VIII (%) (113.7 vs. 105.1) · vWF Ag (%) (113.8 vs. 110.9) · vWF Ac (%) (105.9 vs. 98.8) |
Ashitani, 2002 [8] |
40 patients with stable COPD vs. 20 healthy controls |
Stable COPD |
· TAT (ng/ml) (2.9±1.6 vs. 1.8±0.8) · FPA (ng/ml) (2.7±0.9 vs. 1.2±0.6) · tPA-PAI (ng/ml) (20.2±9.3 vs. 13.8±2.1) · β-thromboglobulin (ng/ml) (120.0±61.1 vs. 46.3±8.5) |
Cella, 2001 [62] |
14 patients with stable COPD vs. 20 healthy controls |
Stable COPD |
· Nitric oxide (μg/ml) (23.42±1.67 vs. 40.0±3.38) · Thrombomodulin (ng/ml) (5.46±1.32 vs. 12.9±0.51) · TFPI (ng/mL) (112.28±6.45 vs. 77.68±0.28) |
Daga, 2020 [75] |
30 patients with AECOPD vs. 30 stable COPD patients |
AECOPD |
· Fibrinogen (mg/dl) [491.09 (406.86-575.31) vs. 426.86 (373.08-480.63)] · vWF Ag [147.58 (141.90-153.25) vs. 128.95 (117.07-140.83)] · PT [1.13 (1.09-1.18) vs. 1.09 (1.00-1.18)]§ · aPTT [1.14 (1.06-1.22) vs. 1.14 (1.07-1.20)]§ |
Eickhoff, 2008 [54] |
60 patients with stable COPD vs. 20 healthy controls |
Stable COPD |
· Fibrinogen (mg/dl) [426(354–472) vs. 382 (317–428)] |
Elsalam, 2013 [74] |
38 patients with AECOPD vs. 25 healthy controls |
AECOPD |
· Soluble fibrin complex (μg/ml) (179.4±73 vs. 3.1±0.34) · D-dimers (ng/ml) (444±225 vs. 371±72.7) · TAT (ng/ml) (14.3±4.0 vs. 3.6±0.4) · Fibrinogen (mg/dl) (338.6±45 vs. 151.6±4.5) |
15 patients with severe COPD vs. 10 patients with moderate COPD |
AECOPD |
· Soluble fibrin complex (μg/ml) (231.3±5 vs. 101.7±34) · D-dimers (ng/ml)(307.2±85.9 vs. 198±70) · TAT (ng/ml)(17.3±2.6 vs. 9.2±1) · Fibrinogen (mg/dl) (361.5±41 vs. 297.7±37) | |
Garcia-Rio, 2010 [53] |
324 patients with stable COPD vs. 110 healthy controls |
Stable COPD |
· Fibrinogen (mg/dl) [370 (310-410) vs. 300 (250-350)] |
Husebø, 2021 [76] |
413 patients with stable COPD vs. 49 healthy controls |
Stable COPD |
· TAT (ng/ml) [1.03 (0.76-1.44)] vs. [1.28 (1.04-1.49)] |
148 COPD patients during AECOPD and compared to baseline values |
AECOPD |
· TAT (ng/ml) [2.56 (1.74-3.95) vs. 1.43 (0.97-1.88)] · APC-PCI (ng/ml) [489.3 (340.5-770.3) vs. 416.4 (295.5-564.3)] · D-dimers (ng/ml) [763.5 (491-1192) vs. 479.7 (273-742)] | |
Jankowski, 2011 [11] |
60 stable COPD patients |
Stable COPD |
· FXIa was detected in 9 (15%) and TF activity in 7 (11.7%) patients. · Those patients had higher: ü prothrombin fragment 1+2 [398 (216) vs. 192 (42)] ü fibrinogen (g/l) [5.58 (2.01) vs. 3.97 (2.47)] |
Koutsokera, 2009 [68] |
30 COPD patients during AECOPD and compared to convalescence values (40 days after AECOPD) |
AECOPD |
· Fibrinogen (mg/dl) (545.1±35.9 vs. 455.4±30.0) |
Kyriakopoulos, 2020 [59] |
103 patients with stable COPD vs. 42 COPD-free smokers |
Stable COPD |
· D-dimers (ng/ml) (540 ±940 vs. 290±140) · Fibrinogen (mg/dl) (399±82 vs. 346±65) · FII (%) (122±22 vs.109±19) · FV (%) (131±25 vs. 121±19) · FVIII (%) (143±32 vs. 122±20) · FX (%) (114±23 vs. 100±16) · Protein S (%) (95.1±18.74 vs. 110.5±17.9) · AT (%) (94.4±11.5 vs. 102.3±13.2) |
Maclay, 2011 [71] |
18 patients with stable COPD vs. 16 healthy controls |
Stable COPD |
· Fibrinogen (g/l) [2.8 (0.5) vs. 2.7 (0.5)] · Platelet-monocyte aggregates (%) [25.3 (8.3) vs. 19.5 (4.0)] · D-dimers (ng/ml) [373 (137) vs. 341 (202)]§ |
12 COPD patients during AECOPD and compared to convalescence values (2 weeks after AECOPD) |
AECOPD |
· Platelet-monocyte aggregates (%) [32.0 (11.0) vs. 25.5 (6.4)] | |
Polatli, 2008 [58] |
33 patients with stable COPD vs. 16 healthy controls |
Stable COPD |
· Fibrinogen (mg/dl) (346.88±92.3 vs. 289.99±39.9) · vWF (%) (178.26±118.3 vs. 142.85±57.16)§ · MAB (20.98±28.74 vs. 10.47±8.08)§ |
26 patients during AECOPD vs. 33 stable COPD patients |
AECOPD |
· Fibrinogen (mg/dl) (447.67±128 vs. 346.88±92.3) · vWF (%) (257.39±157 vs. 178.26±118.3) · MAB (34.99±46.35 vs. 20.98±28.74)§ | |
Roland, 1999 [77] |
30 COPD patients during AECOPD and compared to baseline values (4-6 weeks later) |
AECOPD |
· TF [65.09 (0.00-153.80) vs. 5.92 (0.00-121.30)] |
Saldias, 2012 [67] |
85 COPD patients during AECOPD and compared to baseline values |
AECOPD |
· Fibrinogen (mg/dl) (395.2±104.1 vs. 319.9±57.1) |
Samareh, 2000 [55] |
31 patients with stable COPD vs. 29 healthy controls |
Stable COPD |
· Fibrinogen (g/l) (3.81±0.93 vs. 3.72±0.9)§ |
Silva, 2012 [78] |
58 patients with stable COPD vs. 30 healthy controls |
Stable COPD |
· D-dimers (ng/ml) [0.24 (0.2-0.36) vs. 0.17 (0.12-0.24)]§ |
Song, 2013 [72] |
30 AECOPD patients with ARF II vs.30 AECOPD patients without ARF II |
AECOPD |
· D-dimers(mg/l) (0.36±0.26 vs. 0.11±0.08) · Fibrinogen (g/l) (4.40±0.64 vs. 3.20± 0.64) |
Szczypiorska, 2015 [61] |
66 patients with stable COPD vs. 25 healthy controls |
Stable COPD |
· TF [118.3 (27.2-373.2) vs. 83.1 (18.3-264.1)] · TFPI [120.2 (52.2-323.6) vs. 96.1 (41.2-150.2)] · Fibrinogen (mg/dl) [423 (323-523) vs. 359 (259-459)] · aPTT [36.0 (33-39) vs. 39.8 (35-45)] |
Thomas, 2016 [70] |
20 patients with stable COPD vs. 20 healthy controls |
Stable COPD |
· Fibrinogen (mg/dl) (226.2 vs. 162.7) |
20 patients during AECOPD vs. 20 stable COPD patients |
AECOPD |
· Fibrinogen (mg/dl) (275.55 vs. 226.2) | |
Undas, 2011 [14] |
60 patients with stable COPD vs. 43 non-COPD smokers |
Stable COPD |
· Fibrinogen (mg/dl) (414±160 vs. 285±55) · FII (%) (115±16 vs. 102±10) · FV (%) (114±19 vs. 102±12) · FVII (%) (111±15 vs. 102±17) · FVIII (%) (170±34 vs. 115±27) · FIX (119±21 vs. 107±17) · FX (%) (117±21 vs. 110±19)§ · Free TFPI (ng/ml) (17.7±3.2 vs. 18.9±3.2) · Maximum thrombin levels (404±76 vs. 317±62) · Total thrombin (92.7±23.0 vs. 81.0±16.5) |
Vaidyula, 2009 [60] |
11 patients with stable COPD vs. 10 healthy controls |
Stable COPD |
· TF procoagulant activity (52.3±5.6 vs. 20.7±1.5) · TAT (ng/ml) (2.99±0.65 vs. 1.31±0.13) |
Valipour, 2008 [69] |
30 patients with stable COPD vs. 30 healthy controls |
Stable COPD |
· Fibrinogen (mg/dl) [ 424 (358–459) vs.360 (326–393)] |
30 COPD patients during AECOPD and compared to convalescence values (6 weeks after AECOPD) |
AECOPD |
· Fibrinogen (mg/dl) [419 (329–470) vs. 311 (249–401)] | |
30 patients during AECOPD vs. 30 healthy controls |
AECOPD |
· Fibrinogen (mg/dl) [419 (329–470) vs. 360 (326–393)] | |
Van der Vorm, 2020 [73] |
52 COPD patients during AECOPD and compared to convalescence values* (8 weeks after AECOPD) |
AECOPD |
· Fibrinogen (g/l) (4.8±1.5 vs. 4.2±1.3) · FVIII (%) [185 (91) vs. 153 (84)] · Maximum amount of thrombin (nM/min) (1,503±335 vs. 1,400±360) · vWF Ag (%) [218 (113) vs. 182 (110)] · vWF Ac (%) [157 (89) vs. 135 (71)] |
Waschki, 2017 [63] |
74 patients with stable COPD vs. 18 healthy controls |
Stable COPD |
· Plasminogen activator inhibitor (ng/ml)[ 13 (10-17) vs. 11 (8-13)] |
Wedzicha, 2000 [34] |
67 COPD patients during AECOPD and compared to baseline values |
AECOPD |
· Fibrinogen (g/l) (4.26±1.41 vs. 3.9±0.67) |
Zhang, 2016 [12] |
43 patients with stable COPD vs. 43 healthy controls |
Stable COPD |
· D-dimers (μg/l) [1,799 (1,205-2,196) vs. 433 (369-456)] · Fibrinogen (mg/dl) (297±34.3 vs. 271±66.8) |
43 COPD patients during AECOPD and compared to baseline values |
AECOPD |
· D-dimers (μg/l) [2,839 (2,078-4389) vs. 1,799 (1,205-2,196)] · Fibrinogen (mg/dl) (352±81.3 vs. 297±34.3) |
Values are presented as mean ± SD or median (IQR). § Without statistical significance. * Convalescence values available for 32 patients.
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review of studies on hypercoagulability either in stable COPD or during COPD exacerbations. A large body of epidemiological data supports the hypothesis that COPD is closely linked to a hypercoagulable state. Overall, patients with stable COPD exhibit major alterations of fibrinogen, FII, FV, FVII, FVIII, FIX, D-dimers, von Willebrand factor Ag, von Willebrand factor Ac, TF, TAT, FPA, β-thromboglobulin, tPA-PAI, prothrombin fragment 1 and 2, and maximum thrombin levels, pointing to hypercoagulability. Prothrombotic state is further enhanced during exacerbations, reflected by a significant increase of TF, TAT, soluble fibrin complex, fibrinogen, D-dimers, and APC-PCI. This summary provides an in‐depth overview on the alterations of coagulation factors and prothrombotic changes in COPD patients that enhance our understanding of the coexistence of cardiovascular comorbidities in these patients.
References