Increased tissue plasminogen activator levels in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Abstract

NVAF patients, regardless of their history of embolic events, and control patients with a history of thrombotic stroke have higher tPA levels than subjects in sinus rhythm without a history of stroke. A prospective, longitudinal study involving NVAF patients is required to determine whether high baseline tPA levels are associated with, and perhaps causally related to, an increased risk of stroke.