Premium
Effect of Heparin and Low Molecular Weight Heparin on the Regulation of Microparticle in Atrial Fibrillation
Author(s) -
Samikkannu Michael,
Hoppensteadt Debra,
Adiguzel Cafer,
Cunanan Josephine,
Iqbal Omer,
Tobu Mahmut,
Fareed Jawed
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.1118.3
Subject(s) - atrial fibrillation , heparin , flow cytometry , medicine , low molecular weight heparin , cardioversion , cardiology , microparticle , thrombin generation , electrical cardioversion , thrombin , platelet , immunology , physics , optics
Microparticles (MPs) represent fragments released from the plasma membranes of either stimulated cells or epithelial cells. Although flow cytometry methods have been used in the detection of MPs, only very limited data is available on the functional measurement of these particles and ischemic stroke. More recently, a functional method for the measurement of MP procoagulant activity in plasma (Zymuphen MP‐Activity) has become available. This assay measures the ability of MPs to mediate the generation of thrombin. We hypothesized that patients with atrial fibrillation may have an up regulation of MPs. In order to validate this hypothesis, we measured functional MP in a sub‐study in conjunction with a recently published clinical trial [ Assessment of Cardioversion Using Transoesophageal Echocardiography (ACUTE) II a randomized multicentre study]. We analyzed 50 patients plasma and measured the MP levels. The patients’ plasma samples were obtained from two separate groups of patients (n=25), each group was treated with either heparin (UFH) or a low molecular weight heparin (Enoxaparin) (E). In comparison to the normal controls (n=50) the baseline samples from the patient groups exhibited a much higher level of MPs (5.8±3.1 versus 17.1±5.8 nm). Both UFH and E treatment resulted in a decrease of the functional MP levels. These results suggest that in atrial fibrillation MPs are upregulated and may potentially mediate the thrombogenic responses.