RAPID COMMUNICATION A Common Prothrombin Variant (20210 G to A) Increases the Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Young Women

Using specimens from a population-based case control The age-adjusted odds ratio for MI was 4.0 (95% confidence study among women ages 18 to 44 years in western Washinterval 1.1 to 15.1). The relative risk was high when another ington, we assessed the relationship between carriership of major cardiovascular risk factor was also present, such as a genetic clotting factor II variant (20210 GrA) and myocarsmoking (odds ratio 43.3, 95% confidence interval 6.7 to 281), dial infarction (MI). The factor II variant was previously and the risk seemed limited to those with other risk factors. shown to be present in 1% to 2% of the population, to inThese results, in which the effect of major coronary risk crease the levels of factor II, and to be associated with vefactors is enhanced fourfold to sixfold by the prothrombin nous thrombotic disease. Personal interviews and blood variant, are similar to those previously reported for another samples were obtained from 79 women with a first myocargenetic clotting abnormality, factor V Leiden. We conclude dial infarction and 381 control women identified through that factor II 20210 G to A increases the risk of myocardial random-digit telephone dialing. Polymerase chain reaction infarction in young women, especially in the women with (PCR) method was used to determine the factor II genotypes. other major risk factors for coronary heart disease. The factor II 20210 G to A transition was present more often q 1997 by The American Society of Hematology. in women with MI (5.1%) than among control women (1.6%).