[Predictive value of coagulative molecular markers for thromboembolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: prospective five-year follow-up study].

OBJECTIVES

Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation is a known risk factor for thromboembolism. This study investigated the use of coagulation markers to predict thromboembolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients.

METHODS

One hundred thirty nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients (104 males, 26 females, mean age 63.7 +/- 10.7 years) treated at the Sendai Cardiovascular Center from April 1996 to August 1997 were enrolled in this study. Coagulation markers such as prothrombin fragment 1 + 2, thrombin-antithrombin III complex and D-dimer were measured, and the patients were followed up prospectively to October 2001.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-six patents (100 males, 26 females, chase rate 96.9%) were included in this investigation based on the medical chart and telephone interview. During five-year follow-up, 16 patients had thromboembolism accidents (3.25%/year) and two were suspected to die of thromboembolism. Three patients died of malignant disease, four of heart disease, and five of other diseases. Eight (25.8%) of the 31 patients with high levels of thrombin-antithrombin III complex and 6 (33.3%) of 18 patients with high levels of D-dimer suffered thromboembolism accidents. High thrombin-antithrombin III complex and D-dimer were statistically positive predictive markers for thromboembolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Coagulation markers such as thrombin-antithrombin III complex and D-dimer can predict thromboembolism accidents in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients.