BACKGROUND: Thrombomodulin (TM) a membrane receptor for thrombin generatedin blood in vivo, is present on the surface of vascular endothelium cells. The aim of our work was thedetermination of thrombomodulin in the blood of patients with unstable angina pectoris.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the study took part 87 patients with unstable angina pectoris (40 women and 47 men) at age41-79 years. Thrombomodulin was determined in citrated blood plasma with the use of enzyme immunoassayELISA with the diagnostic kit manufactured by American Diagnostica.
RESULTS: Statistically significanthigher thrombomodulin concentration (sTM) was found in the patients when compared with the values recordedin control group. Elevated sTM levels depended on patients age and they were significantly higher inpatients over 50 years old. There were no statistically significant differences with respect to patientsgender and coexistent risk factors such as arterial hypertension, diabetes or smoking, but significantlyhigher sTM concentration was observed in patients with high serum cholesterol level.
CONCLUSION: ElevatedsTM concentrations result from the damage to vascular endothelium cells by the atheromatous process manifestedin unstable angina pectoris.

Keywords: Thrombomodulin, unstable angina pectoris