Progressive endothelial damage revealed by multilevel von Willebrand factor plasma concentrations in atrial fibrillation patients

Conclusion Regardless of the clinical form of the arrhythmia, AF patients presented significantly higher plasma concentrations of vWF compared with sinus rhythm controls. Multilevel vWF plasma concentration assessment suggests an association between the clinical evolution of AF and the progression of endothelial dysfunction. Further studies will have to establish the exact mechanisms that link endothelial dysfunction and stroke in the context of AF.

http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/15/11/1562?rss=1

Source: Europace - October 29, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Scridon, A., Girerd, N., Rugeri, L., Nonin-Babary, E., Chevalier, P. Tags: Atrial fibrillation Source Type: research