These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Prolonged activation of hemostatic markers following conversion of atrial flutter to sinus rhythm.
    Author: Sakurai K, Hirai T, Nakagawa K, Kameyama T, Nozawa T, Asanoi H, Inoue H.
    Journal: Circ J; 2004 Nov; 68(11):1041-4. PubMed ID: 15502386.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: It remains controversial whether prophylactic anticoagulation for embolism is required in patients with atrial flutter (AFL) prior to and following cardioversion as in patients with atrial fibrillation. To evaluate the potential prothrombotic state following cardioversion of AFL, concentrations of hemostatic markers were determined before and after conversion to sinus rhythm (SR). METHODS AND RESULTS: In 12 patients (mean age 68 years) with AFL who underwent transesophageal echocardiography in the plasma concentrations of markers for platelet activity (platelet factor 4 (PF4) and beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG)), thrombotic status (thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) and prothrombin fragments 1 and 2 (F1+2)) and fibrinolytic status (D-dimer and plasmin-alpha(2)-plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC)) were determined during AFL, and 3 days and 7 days after restoration of SR. Left atrial appendage (LAA) blood flow velocity was lower immediately after than before restoration of SR (29+/-11 vs 41+/-23 cm/s, p<0.05). Three patients developed left atrial spontaneous echo contrast immediately after restoration of SR. Although the concentrations of the markers of platelet activity did not change after restoration of SR, those of TAT and PIC increased 7 days after restoration of SR as compared with during AFL (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: AFL patients have a potential risk for thromboembolism after restoration of SR and therefore anticoagulation might be required in selected patients.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]