In a study by Ashitani et al., plasma levels of TAT complex, fibrinopeptide-A, tissue plasminogen activator-plasminogen activator inhibitor (tPA-PAI), and 3-thromboglobulin, a marker of platelet activation, were significantly higher in stable COPD patients compared to healthy never-smokers controls [8]. This evidence concerns the gene TAT and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.