The application of vWF/ADAMTS13 in essential hypertension

Plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF), a key player in hemostasis and thrombosis, is released from endothelial cells during inflammation. Hypertension, a progressing in chronic inflammation and cardiovascular syndrome with various causes, results in functional and structural changes of heart and arterial vessels. However little information is available on LA changes during hypertension. Left atrial (LA) enlargement is associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between LA enlargement and thromboembolic risk in essential hypertensive patients with Af without any signs of clinical thrombotic disease or previous stroke.

The relationship between Plasma vWF, ADAMTS13 and left atrial diameter (LAD), left atrial volume (LAV), left atrial volume index (LAVi) were evaluated in essential hypertensive group included 105 patients (55 patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) and 50 patients with normal sinus rhythm (NSR)).

The study demonstrated that vWF, vWF/ADAMT13, LAD, LAV and LAVi were increased significantly (P < 0.01) but ADAMTS13: Ag was decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in the hypertensive with AF group compared with NSR group.

vWF/ADAMTS13 were positively correlated with LAD, LAV and LAVi (P < 0.01). Increased vWF and vWF/ADAMTS13 is associated with LAD, LAV and LAVi in essential hypertension. The study suggests it played a positive role of vWF and vWF/ADAMTS13 in the progressing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in essential hypertensive patients with LA enlargement.