Dyslipidemias are major risk factors for
atherosclerosis and
cardiovascular disease. Abnormalities of fibrinolytic and coagulation components are considered useful predictors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in adults. This study examined whether fibrinolytic and coagulation components are abnormal in children with
dyslipidemia. Thirty-six children with asymptomatic
dyslipidemia, and 26 control subjects underwent venous occlusion stress testing with collection of preocclusion and postocclusion blood samples. All samples were assayed for
tissue plasminogen activator,
plasminogen,
plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, alpha(2)-antiplasmin, alpha(2)-macroglobulin,
D-dimer,
fibrinogen, and
von Willebrand factor. Children with
dyslipidemia had significantly decreased levels of
tissue plasminogen activator in both preocclusion and postocclusion samples compared with control subjects, reflecting decreased fibrinolytic activity. Children with
dyslipidemia also had significantly increased levels of
plasminogen, alpha(2)-macroglobulin, and
fibrinogen in preocclusion and postocclusion samples compared with control subjects. In conclusion, decreased fibrinolytic activity is present in asymptomatic children with
dyslipidemias, potentially reflecting endothelial dysfunction and increased risk of
cardiovascular disease in early adult life. Further studies are required to determine the usefulness of this marker in predicting
disease progression or response to
therapy.