Atrial fibrillation was associated with significantly higher plasma beta-thromboglobulin concentrations compared to normal subjects (49.4 ng/ml without valvular heart disease and 64.1 ng/ml with valvular heart disease vs 31.2 ng/ml, p<0.01).
Cross-Sectional (n=156)
No
Elevated plasma levels of beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 in patients with atrial fibrillation suggest in vivo platelet activation, providing a mechanistic rationale for their high risk of thromboembolism.
Absolute Event Rate: 49.4% vs 31.2%
p-value: p=<0.01
The clinical significance of beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF-4) levels were evaluated in 26 patients with atrial fibrillation (af) complicated by valvular heart disease (VHD), 73 patients with af but without valvular heart disease and 57 normal subjects. The beta-TG level was significantly higher in af patients without VHD than in normal subjects (49.4 +/- 35.8 ng/ml vs 31.2 +/- 14.0 ng/ml, p less than 0.01) and in af patients with VHD than in normals (64.1 +/- 52.8 ng/ml vs 31.2 +/- 14.0 ng/ml, p less than 0.01). Af patients with or without VHD tended to show high levels of PF4 compared with normals (af patients without VHD: 34.1 +/- 45.5 ng/ml, af patients with VHD: 18.6 +/- 27.2 ng/ml, normals: 11.6 +/- 8.2 ng/ml). There was no correlation between beta-TG levels and age in af patients without VHD or in normals. There was also no correlation between beta-TG levels and heart rate in af patients without VHD. The activation of platelets was suggested in patients with atrial fibrillation on the basis of increased levels of platelet releasing substances, especially in those with VHD. The high levels of beta-TG and PF4 in patients with atrial fibrillation may be one explanation for the high incidence of thromboembolism in these patients, indicating the necessity of antiplatelet therapy.
Yamauchi et al. (Wed,) conducted a cross-sectional in Atrial fibrillation (n=156). Atrial fibrillation vs. Normal subjects was evaluated on Plasma beta-thromboglobulin concentration (p=<0.01). Atrial fibrillation was associated with significantly higher plasma beta-thromboglobulin concentrations compared to normal subjects (49.4 ng/ml without valvular heart disease and 64.1 ng/ml with valvular heart disease vs 31.2 ng/ml, p<0.01).