Abstract
The pathophysiological inter-relationships and underlying 'drivers' of a prothrombotic state in atrial fibrillation (AF) are complex but may include endothelial abnormalities. Circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) have been recently described as a cell population that may promote repair of endothelial damage. We hypothesised abnormalities in this cell population, alongside abnormal markers of endothelial damage/dysfunction (von Willebrand factor, soluble E-selectin), apoptosis (soluble Fas, soluble Fas ligand), angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor) and inflammation (interleukin-6) in 135 consecutive AF patients (14 with lone AF), who were compared to 33 'disease controls' and 13 healthy controls. We also explored whether restoration of sinus rhythm would alter these indices. No significant differences in research indices were observed between AF and disease controls, apart from soluble Fas levels (p
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 327-334 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Thrombosis and Haemostasis |
Volume | 104 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 2010 |
Keywords
- inflammation
- apoptosis
- angiogenesis
- Atrial fibrillation
- progenitor cells