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Fibrinolytic function and atrial fibrillation

Francisco Marín1, Vanessa Roldán, Gregory Y H Lip

  • 1Haemostasis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Unit, University Department of Medicine, City Hospital, B18 7QH, Birmingham, England, UK.

Thrombosis Research
|June 24, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases stroke risk due to prothrombotic states. This review examines fibrinolytic function, crucial for preventing clots, and its role in AF patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hematology
  • Thrombosis Research

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia linked to high stroke and thromboembolism risk.
  • Patients with AF exhibit a prothrombotic state, with research focusing on clotting factors, endothelial dysfunction, and platelets.
  • The role of fibrinolytic function in AF pathophysiology remains understudied despite its importance in preventing intravascular thrombosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of fibrinolytic function.
  • To review existing studies investigating the relationship between fibrinolytic activity and atrial fibrillation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on fibrinolysis and AF.
  • Analysis of the role of the fibrinolytic system in cardiovascular disease.

Main Results:

  • Previous research has primarily focused on prothrombotic markers rather than the fibrinolytic system in AF.
  • Emerging evidence highlights the significance of fibrinolytic imbalance in cardiovascular diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Fibrinolytic function is a critical but less explored aspect of the hypercoagulable state in atrial fibrillation.
  • Further research into fibrinolytic activity in AF is warranted to understand its contribution to thromboembolic events.

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