Endothelial function in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Endothelial function in patients with atrial fibrillation. Ann Med. 2020 Jan 04;:1-34 Authors: Khan AA, Thomas GN, Lip GYH, Shantsila A Abstract Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart arrhythmia and is associated with poor outcomes. The adverse effects of atrial fibrillation are mediated through multiple pathways, including endothelial dysfunction, as measured by flow-mediated dilatation. Flow-mediated dilatation has demonstrated endothelial dysfunction in several conditions and is associated with poor outcomes including mortality, yet can be improved with medical therapy. It is thus a useful tool in assessing endothelial function in patients.Endothelial dysfunction is present in patients with atrial fibrillation and is associated with poor outcomes. These patients are generally older and have other co-morbidities such as hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes. The precise process by which atrial fibrillation is affiliated with endothelial damage/dysfunction remains elusive.This review explores the endothelial structure, its physiology and how it is affected in patients with atrial fibrillation. It also assesses the utility of flow mediated dilatation as a technique to assess endothelial function in patients with AF. Key messagesEndothelial function is affected in patients with atrial fibrillation as with other cardiovascular conditions.Endothelial dysfunction is associated with poor outcomes such as stroke, myocardia...
Source: Annals of Medicine - Category: Internal Medicine Tags: Ann Med Source Type: research