Abstract
BACKGROUND: The precise pathophysiological processes underlying the prothrombotic or hypercoagulable state in atrial fibrillation (AF) remain uncertain. We hypothesized a relationship between abnormal endothelial damage/dysfunction, coagulation, and angiogenic factors, thereby contributing to increased thrombogenicity. METHODS: Plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF, an index of endothelial damage/dysfunction) and tissue factor (TF, an index of coagulation), as well as the angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) in 59 chronic AF patients. Data were compared to 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls in sinus rhythm. RESULTS: Plasma vWF, VEGF and Ang-2 were significantly higher in AF patients compared to healthy controls (P=0.005, P=0.0055 and P
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 365-72 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Annals of Medicine |
Volume | 37 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2005 |
Keywords
- angiopoietin
- endothelium
- vascular endothelial growth factor
- tissue factor