RESUMO
Fundamentos: A doença cardiovascular (DCV) é a principal causa de morte nos países em desenvolvimento. Os indivíduos com síndrome metabólica (SM) apresentam risco elevado para DCV. Os fatores de risco tradicionais em conjunto, não explicam todos os eventos cardiovasculares. O fator von Willebrand (FvW), envolvido na agregação plaquetária e trombose, tem sido investigado nesse contexto. Objetivo: Investigar a relação entre FvW e DCV, em pacientes portadores de SM, com e sem eventos cardiovasculares prévios. Métodos: Estudados 77 pacientes ambulatoriais, ≥18 anos, portadores de SM de acordo com os critérios estabelecidos pela NCEP-ATP III. Mediu-se o nível plasmático do FvW e comparou-se os valores médios entre os grupos com DCV prévia (n=30) e sem DCV documentada (n=47). Resultados: Da população estudada, 66,0% eram do sexo feminino, 78,0% de etnia branca, média de idade 63,7±8,9 anos, peso médio 82,9±14,9 kg e índice de massa corpórea 32,2±4,8 kg/m2. O nível plasmático médio do FvW foi similar nos pacientes com e sem DCV prévia, com valores de 154,5±52,1 e 155,47±41,4, respectivamente. Observou-se associação entre o diabetes mellitus (DM) e DCV estabelecida, que permaneceu significativa após ajuste para as demais variáveis incluídas no modelo multivariado. Conclusões: Não houve diferença no nível plasmático médio do FvW entre os pacientes portadores de SM, com e sem DCV documentada. A presença de DM, entretanto, esteve associada de forma independente com DCV nesta população.
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in developing countries. Individuals with metabolic syndrome (MS) are at increased risk for CVD. The traditional risk factors, altogether, do not explain all cardiovascular events. The von Willebrand factor (vWF), involved in platelet aggregation and thrombosis, has been investigated in this context. Objective: To investigate the relationship between the vWF and CVD in patients with MS, with and without previous cardiovascular events. Methods: The study included 77 outpatients, ≥18 years, with MS, according to the criteria established by NCEP-ATP III. The plasma level of vWF was measured and the mean values were compared between the groups with prior CVD (n=30) and without documented CVD (n=47). Results: In the study population, 66.0% were female, 78.0% were white, mean age 63.7±8.9, mean weight 82.9±14.9 kg, and body mass index 32.2±4.8 kg/m2. The average plasma level of vWF was similar in patients with and without previous CVD, with values of 154.5±52.1 and 155.47±41.4, respectively. There was an association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and established CVD, which remained significant after adjusting for other variables included in the multivariate model. Conclusions: There was no difference in the mean plasma level of vWF among patients with MS, with and without documented CVD. The presence of DM, however, was independently associated with CVD in this population.