ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The P1A1/P1A2 polymorphism of the platelet glycoprotein IIIa has been variably associated with an increased risk of coronary thrombosis. MATERIALS: We investigated the linkage between the P1A1/P1A2 polymorphism and the risk of myocardial infarction in 98 patients who suffered their first myocardial infarction at the age of 45 years or less and 98 well-matched control subjects without coronary artery disease. Lipid parameters were measured using conventional methods of clinical chemistry; P1A genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the prevalence of P1A2-positive genotypes (either P1A1/P1A2 or P1A2/P1A2) between patients and control subjects (chi 2 = 0.66, d.f. = 1, P = 0.41). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the P1A2 polymorphism of the platelet glycoprotein IIIa does not contribute to the genetic susceptibility to premature myocardial infarction.