Fibrinogen concentration: A marker of cardiovascular disorders in Nigerians.

Fibrinogen, one of the most hemorheologically active plasma proteins, is associated with several cardiovascular risk factors, and the plasma concentration can alter dramatically during acute phase response and in a wide variety of clinical conditions. We have assessed fibrinogen levels in some known cardiovascular disorders, during usage of contraceptive pills, acute phase conditions and pregnancy. Our results from patients with various disease conditions indicate that fibrinogen levels are in the pathological range and are significantly higher than in healthy controls (p<0.001). It is concluded that although Africans have low predisposition to thrombosis, they may well be pre-disposed to abnormal fibrin formation which could lead to various thromboembolic complications.