Fibrinolytic function and atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the commonest sustained cardiac arrhythmia, which is associated with a substantial risk of stroke and thromboembolism. A prothrombotic or hypercoagulable state has been observed in these patients, although previous studies have mainly focused on various clotting factors, endothelial damage or dysfunction markers and platelet activation. However, fibrinolytic function has been less frequently studied, despite the fibrinolytic system playing an important role in preventing intravascular thrombosis. Indeed, increasing evidence suggests that an imbalance between the fibrinolytic function is of great importance in cardiovascular disease. This review will begin by providing a brief approach to fibrinolytic function and examine previous studies about fibrinolytic activity and atrial fibrillation.
Marín
Francisco
F
Haemostasis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Unit, University Department of Medicine, City Hospital, B18 7QH, Birmingham, England, UK.
Roldán
Vanessa
V
Lip
Gregory Y H
GY
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000502:physiology; D005342:Fibrinolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000502:physiology; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000502:physiology; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000502:physiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000502:physiology
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; D005340:Fibrinogen; D010958:Plasminogen; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases