Prolonged activation of hemostatic markers following conversion of atrial flutter to sinus rhythm.
BACKGROUND
It remains controversial whether prophylactic anticoagulation for embolism is required in patients with atrial flutter (AFL) prior to and following cardioversion as in patients with atrial fibrillation. To evaluate the potential prothrombotic state following cardioversion of AFL, concentrations of hemostatic markers were determined before and after conversion to sinus rhythm (SR).


RESULTS
In 12 patients (mean age 68 years) with AFL who underwent transesophageal echocardiography in the plasma concentrations of markers for platelet activity (platelet factor 4 (PF4) and beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG)), thrombotic status (thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) and prothrombin fragments 1 and 2 (F1+2)) and fibrinolytic status (D-dimer and plasmin-alpha(2)-plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC)) were determined during AFL, and 3 days and 7 days after restoration of SR. Left atrial appendage (LAA) blood flow velocity was lower immediately after than before restoration of SR (29+/-11 vs 41+/-23 cm/s, p<0.05). Three patients developed left atrial spontaneous echo contrast immediately after restoration of SR. Although the concentrations of the markers of platelet activity did not change after restoration of SR, those of TAT and PIC increased 7 days after restoration of SR as compared with during AFL (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
AFL patients have a potential risk for thromboembolism after restoration of SR and therefore anticoagulation might be required in selected patients.
Sakurai
Kenji
K
The Second Department of Internal Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 2630 Sugutani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
Hirai
Tadakazu
T
Nakagawa
Keiko
K
Kameyama
Tomoki
T
Nozawa
Takashi
T
Asanoi
Hidetsugu
H
Inoue
Hiroshi
H
D000368:Aged; D000990:Antithrombin III; D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000503:physiopathology; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D004452:Echocardiography; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004554:Electric Countershock; D005260:Female; D005341:Fibrinolysin / Q000378:metabolism; D006339:Heart Rate; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D000979:alpha-2-Antiplasmin / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D000979:alpha-2-Antiplasmin; C046193:antithrombin III-protease complex; C037742:plasmin-plasmin inhibitor complex; D000990:Antithrombin III; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D005341:Fibrinolysin