The role of estimation of plasma von Willebrand factor concentration in stroke risk stratification in patients with atrial fibrillation

Introduction. Von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a large plasma glycoprotein that plays a major role in hemostasis. The vWF plasma concentration is not included in modern stoke risk stratification scales in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Aim — to evaluate the possibility of usage of vWF plasma concentration in stroke risk stratification in patients with atrial fibrillation. General findings. vWF is an important predictor of stroke development in patients with AF based on the results of the conducted meta-analysis that included 12 studies and 7449 patients with AF. Determining the concentration of vWF in patients with low risk of stroke development or in those patients with a single non-sex CHA2DS2-VASc score risk factor may be useful in deciding whether to prescribe anticoagulant therapy.