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Document Details : Title: Associations of D-dimer and von Willebrand factor with atherosclerosis in Japanese and white men Author(s): R.W. Azuma , T. Kadowaki , A. El-Saed , H. Ueshima , K. Sutton-Tyrrell , Y. Nakamura , D. Edmundowicz , Y. Ueno , R.W. Evans , A. Kadota , L.H. Kuller , K. Murata , T. Takamiya , S. Kadowaki , J.D. Curb , A. Sekikawa Journal: Acta Cardiologica Volume: 65    Issue: 4   Date: 2010    Pages: 449-456 DOI: 10.2143/AC.65.4.2053904 Abstract : Objective — D-dimer and von Willebrand factor (vWF) are associated with atherosclerosis. We recently reported that in a post-World War II birth cohort, Japanese men in Japan had lower levels of atherosclerosis than white men in the United States (US). We examined whether the differences in D-dimer and vWF levels are associated with differences in atherosclerosis between the two populations. Methods and results — Population-based samples of 99 Japanese and 100 white American men aged 40-49 years were examined for coronary artery calcification (CAC), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), D-dimer, vWF, and other factors using a standardized protocol. When compared to white American men, Japanese had similar levels of D-dimer (0.22 ± 0.28 vs. 0.19 ± 0.24 μg/L, respectively, P = 0.39) but significantly higher levels of vWF (124.1 ± 36.6 vs. 91.3 ± 48.8%, respectively, P < 0.01). Japanese as compared to white American men had significantly lower prevalence of CAC (13.1 vs. 28.0%, P < 0.01, respectively) and significantly lower IMT (0.61 ± 0.07 vs. 0.66 ± 0.08 mm, P < 0.01, respectively). Japanese men had a significant positive association of D-dimer with the prevalence of CAC and a negative association of vWF with IMT, whereas white American men did not have any significant associations. Conclusions — In men aged 40-49 years, Japanese as compared to white Americans had similar levels of D-dimer and higher levels of vWF although Japanese had a significantly lower prevalence of CAC and IMT. These haemostatic factors are unlikely to explain the difference in atherosclerosis in these populations.