Dynamics of Biochemical Markers of Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients With Arterial Hypertension
Arterial hypertension (AH) occupies the first place among causes of atrial fibrillation (AF) in general population. AF in patients with AH substantially elevates risk of cardiovascular complications. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) in patients with AH at appearance of AF might have great prognostic value for stratification of risk of thromboembolic complications. We studied biochemical markers of ED in patients with AH and various forms of AF. Collagen binding activity of the von Willebrand factor (vWF) in patients with permanent AF was significantly higher than in patients without heart rhythm disturbances and did not depend on degree of AH. We revealed dependence of moderate strength between frequency of AF paroxysms during a year and collagen binding activity of vWF in patients with persistent AF. Blood plasma concentration of endothelin increased with increase of degree of AH both in patients with AF and in those without heart rhythm disturbances and did not depend on form of arrhythmia.