Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Are Accompanied by Elevations of Plasma Fibrinogen and Serum IL-6 Levels

Abstract

Plasma fibrinogen levels were elevated in stable patients with COPD and may contribute to the increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in these patients. COPD exacerbations increased serum IL-6 levels, leading to a rise in plasma fibrinogen. Thus acute rather than chronic infection may have a role in predisposing to coronary heart disease or stroke.