Angiogenic factors in atrial fibrillation: A possible role in thrombogenesis?

Figures & data

Table I. Demographic and clinical data for AF cases and healthy controls.

Variable	Controls (n = 40)	AF (n = 59)	P
Patient demography
Mean age (years)	64 (±9)	65 (±8)	0.333
Male, n (%)	17 (43%)	31 (52%)	0.369
Current smokers, n (%)	4 (10%)	2 (3%)	0.169
Co‐morbidity
Hypertension	‐	33 (55%)	‐
Hyperlipidaemia	‐	5 (8%)	‐
Previous CVA	‐	7 (12%)	‐
Treatment
Aspirin	‐	13 (22%)	‐
Warfarin	‐	40 (67%)	‐
Digoxin	‐	21 (35%)	‐
Amiodarone	‐	4 (7%)	‐
Beta‐blocker	‐	26 (43%)	‐
Calcium channel blocker	‐	14 (23%)	‐
ACE inhibitor/ARB	‐	10 (17%)	‐
Diuretic	‐	21 (35%)	‐
Statin	‐	5 (8%)	‐
Clinical measurements
Systolic BP (mmHg)	134 (±20)	137 (±19)	0.488
Diastolic BP (mmHg)	79 (±8)	80 (±11)	0.629
Total Cholesterol (mMol/L)	5.6 (±0.9)	5.3 (±1.0)	0.070

Results are expressed as numbers and percentages, as mean (±standard deviation) or median (interquartile range). Chi‐squared was used for categorical data and two sample t‐test and Mann‐Whitney tests were used as appropriate for parametric and non‐parametric continuous variables. CVA = cerebrovascular accident; ACE = angiotensin converting enzyme; ARB = angiotensin 2 receptor blocker; BP = blood pressure.

Table II. Plasma levels of vWF, tissue factor, VEGF, angiopoietin‐1 and angiopoietin‐2 in AF patients in comparison to healthy controls.

	Healthy controls	AF patients	P‐value
vWF (iU/dL)	118 (±60)	157 (+71)	0.005
TF (pg/mL)	455 (38–1100)	750 (150–1800)	0.121
VEGF (pg/mL)	50 (10–135)	110 (40–540)	0.0055
Ang‐1 (ng/mL)	5 (2.2–7.4)	4 (2.5–12.5)	0.925
Ang‐2 (ng/mL)	2 (1.5–3.6)	5.8 (2.6–8.6)	<0.0001

Results are expressed as numbers and percentages, as mean (±standard deviation) or median (interquartile range) with two sample t‐test or Mann‐Whitney test used as appropriate. vWF = von Willebrand factor); TF = tissue factor; VEGF = vascular endothelial‐derived growth factor; Ang‐1 = angiopoietin 1; Ang‐2 = angiopoietin 2.

Table III. Difference in research indices in the AF group with age (group divided into those above and below the median age of 65).

	Age<65 years (n = 30)	Age⩾65 years (n = 29)	P‐value
vWF (iU/dL)	154 (±68)	160 (±76)	0.741
TF (pg/mL)	850 (318–1950)	600 (13–1600)	0.1622
VEGF (pg/mL)	125 (42–788)	100 (32–365)	0.3231
Ang‐1 (ng/mL)	3.1 (2.05–12.75)	4.8 (2.75–12.0)	0.3753
Ang‐2 (ng/mL)	5.8 (2.3–8.75)	5.8 (2.75–9.25)	0.5955

Results are expressed as mean (±standard deviation) or median (interquartile range) with two sample t‐test or Mann‐Whitney test used as appropriate. vWF = von Willebrand factor; TF = tissue factor; VEGF = vascular endothelial‐derived growth factor; Ang‐1 = angiopoietin 1; Ang‐2 = angiopoietin 2.

Table IV. Difference in research indices in the AF group dependent on a pre‐existent diagnosis of hypertension.

	No hypertension (n = 16)	Hypertension (n = 33)	P‐value
vWF (iU/dL)	171 (±73)	146 (±69)	0.200
TF (pg/mL)	750 (250–2075)	850 (63–1700)	0.854
VEGF (pg/mL)	155 (30–315)	100 (40–925)	0.982
Ang‐1 (ng/mL)	3.0 (2.0–16.5)	4.3 (2.5–8.5)	0.664
Ang‐2 (ng/mL)	5.8 (2.7–8.75)	5.8 (2.45–9.0)	1.000

Results are expressed as mean (±standard deviation) or median (interquartile range) with two sample t‐test or Mann‐Whitney test used as appropriate. vWF = von Willebrand factor; TF = tissue factor; VEGF = vascular endothelial‐derived growth factor; Ang‐1 = angiopoietin 1; Ang‐2 = angiopoietin 2.

Table V. Difference in research indices in the AF group dependent on whether on or not the patient was on warfarin at the time of blood sampling.

	No warfarin (n = 19)	warfarin (n = 40)	P‐value
vWF (iU/dL)	165 (±69)	154 (±73)	0.591
TF (pg/mL)	1050 (250–2600)	725 (150–1350)	0.346
VEGF (pg/mL)	120 (40–9500)	100 (31–240)	0.445
Ang‐1 (ng/mL)	6.0 (2.5–16.0)	3.3 (2.5–9.9)	0.167
Ang‐2 (ng/mL)	7.5 (2.8–10)	4.8 (2.5–8.0)	0.146

Results are expressed as mean (±standard deviation) or median (interquartile range) with two sample t‐test or Mann‐Whitney test used as appropriate. vWF = von Willebrand factor; TF = tissue factor; VEGF = vascular endothelial‐derived growth factor; Ang‐1 = angiopoietin 1; Ang‐2 = angiopoietin 2.