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Updated: Sep 2, 2025

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
The association of coagulation and atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Martijn J Tilly1, Sven Geurts1, Angelo M Pezzullo1,2
1Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
This study found that higher levels of coagulation factors are linked to atrial fibrillation (AF). Evidence suggests a prothrombotic state may contribute to AF development, increasing thrombotic risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hematology
- Thrombosis Research
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a prothrombotic state, yet the role of coagulation in AF onset remains unclear.
- Understanding the relationship between coagulation factors and AF is crucial for risk stratification and management.
Approach:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted, synthesizing data from 17 longitudinal and 44 cross-sectional studies.
- Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated to assess associations between coagulation factors and AF incidence and prevalence.
Key Points:
- Longitudinal studies revealed significant associations between fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), and D-dimer with AF incidence.
- Cross-sectional studies indicated elevated levels of fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, P-selectin, ß-thromboglobulin, Platelet Factor 4, PAI-1, and D-dimer in patients with prevalent AF.
Conclusions:
- Elevated coagulation factor levels are associated with both prevalent and incident AF.
- The strongest associations were observed in cross-sectional studies of prevalent AF.
- Limited longitudinal data suggest a prothrombotic state may underlie AF development.
Aims:
While atrial fibrillation (AF) is suggested to induce a prothrombotic state, increasing thrombotic risk, it is also hypothesized that coagulation underlies AF onset. However, conclusive evidence is lacking. With this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to summarize and combine the evidence on the associations between coagulation factors with AF in both longitudinal and cross-sectional studies.
Methods And Results:
We systematically searched for longitudinal cohort and cross-sectional studies investigating AF and thrombosis. For longitudinal studies, pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. For cross-sectional studies, we determined pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% CIs. A total of 17 longitudinal and 44 cross-sectional studies were included. In longitudinal studies, we found significant associations between fibrinogen (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.00-1.10), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.00-1.12), and D-dimer (HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.19) and AF incidence. In cross-sectional studies, we found significantly increased levels of fibrinogen (SMD 0.47, 95% CI 0.20-0,74), von Willebrand factor (SMD 0.96, 95% CI 0.28-1.66), P-selectin (SMD 0.31, 95% CI 0.08-0.54), ß-thromboglobulin (SMD 0.82, 95% CI 0.61-1.04), Platelet Factor 4 (SMD 0.42, 95% CI 0.12-0.7), PAI-1 (1.73, 95% CI 0.26-3.19), and D-dimer (SMD 1.74, 95% CI 0.36-3.11) in AF patients, as opposed to controls.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that higher levels of coagulation factors are associated with prevalent and incident AF. These associations are most pronounced with prevalent AF in cross-sectional studies. Limited evidence from longitudinal studies suggests a prothrombotic state underlying AF development.
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