Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and leads to a five-fold increased risk of stroke compared to persons with sinus rhythm. A soluble form of thrombomodulin (sTM) is a recognized marker of endothelial dysfunction and may contribute to the hypercoagulable state in AF. The aim of the study was to evaluate plasma concentration of sTM in persistent AF patients before and after sinus rhythm recovery following direct current cardioversion (CV). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 45 effectively anticoagulated consecutive patients, with persistent non-valvular AF, and normal left ventricular function, CV was performed. Blood samples for sTM assessment were collected twice: 24 hours before and 24 hours after CV. RESULTS: In 43 patients sinus rhythm was obtained. The mean plasma sTM level was significantly lower in AF patients compared to the control group with sinus rhythm and without anticoagulation (38.5 ±9.9 ng/ml vs. 44.1 ±9.1 ng/ml, p = 0.04). Plasma sTM levels did not change 24 hours after successful CV (36.7 ±9.5 ng/ml vs. 38.5 ±9.9 ng/ml, p = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma sTM concentration was lower in patients with persistent AF and normal left ventricle systolic function than in patients with sinus rhythm, presumably due to chronic oral anticoagulant therapy in the AF group. CV has no impact on sTM plasma level evaluated 24 hours after sinus rhythm restoration.