A study of platelet activation in atrial fibrillation and the effects of antithrombotic therapy

Abstract

AF patients exhibit changes in plasma markers of platelet function but no significant abnormalities of platelet aggregation. However, treatment with warfarin or aspirin failed to demonstrate any significant benefit on platelet activation, although warfarin use was associated with reduced thrombogenesis (fibrin D-dimer). We suggest that platelet activation may not play an important role in the pathogenesis of thromboembolism in AF.