Endothelial function and platelet activation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and the influence of beta-blocker on them / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To examine the serum von Willebrand factor (vWF) and soluble Pselectin levels in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), and to observe the influence of beta-blocker treatment on endothelial function and platelet activation in NVAF patients. Methods The 25 subjects, 17 males and 8 females, with persistent NVAF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)≥50%, were enrolled in NVAF group. Those with myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy or hyperthyroidism were excluded. Another 35 subjects with sinus rhythm were as control (age,gender and LVEF matched with NVAF group, and with similar cardiovascular diseases). Serum vWF and soluble P-selectin levels were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The serum vWF level was significantly higher in NVAF group than in control group [(1945.2±111.3) g/L vs. (1862.3±101.6) g/L, P＜0.05]. However, there was no significant difference in serum soluble P-selectin level between NVAF group and control group [(24.32±9.21) g/L vs. (24.68±11.70) g/L, P＞0. 05]. After administration of beta-blocker, a down-regulation was found in serum vWF level [(1758. 3±152. 4) g/L, P＜0. 01], but not in soluble P-selectin level [(21.05±8. 94) g/L, P＞0. 05]. There was no relationship between serum level of vWF and soluble P-selectin (r=-0.008,P＞0. 05). Conclusions High serum level of vWF is found in patients with persistent NVAF as compared with control, indicating endothelial damage/dysfunction in those patients. After administration of beta-blocker, serum level of vWF drops dramatically in NVAF patients, indicating possible endothelial function protection of beta-blocker.