Assessment of endothelial (dys)function in atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of mortality and morbidity from stroke and thromboembolism. Endothelial damage or dysfunction may contribute to this increased risk of thromboembolism via the mediation of a prothrombotic or hypercoagulable state. However, the precise pathophysiological mechanism(s) relating endothelial (dys)function to AF and thromboembolism are yet to be fully elucidated. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of endothelial (dys)function and AF, as well as the merits and limitations of the different methods used to assess endothelial function in AF.
Krishnamoorthy
Suresh
S
University of Birmingham Centre for Cardiovascular Science, City Hospital, Birmingham, B18 7QH, UK.
Lim
Sern H
SH
Lip
Gregory Y H
GY
D000818:Animals; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*
D015415:Biomarkers