Effect of aortic valve replacement on plasma soluble P-selectin, von Willebrand factor, and fibrinogen

We measured indexes of platelet activation (soluble P-selectin), endothelial dysfunction (von Willebrand factor), and fibrinogen in 54 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR): after mechanical AVR implantation, there was a significant increase in plasma levels of soluble P-selectin and von Willebrand factor levels 3 months after surgery, with no change in mean plasma fibrinogen levels. No significant changes in measured indexes were noted in patients undergoing biologic AVR, suggesting that mechanical AVR results in abnormal endothelial damage and/or dysfunction and platelet activation, which is not apparent among patients undergoing this procedure.