Impaired platelet nitric oxide response in patients with new onset atrial fibrillation

Abstract Background Clinical factors associated with thromboembolic risk in AF patients are well characterized and include new onset AF. Biochemically, AF is associated with inflammatory activation and impairment of nitric oxide (NO) signalling, which may also predispose to thromboembolism: the bases for variability in these anomalies have not been identified. We therefore sought to identify correlates of impaired platelet NO signalling in patients hospitalized with atrial fibrillation (AF), and to evaluate the impact of acuity of AF. Methods 87 patients hospitalized with AF were evaluated. Platelet aggregation, and its inhibition by the NO donor sodium nitroprusside, was evaluated using whole blood impedance aggregometry. Correlates of impaired NO response were examined and repeated in a "validation" cohort of acute cardiac illnesses. Results Whilst clinical risk scores were not significantly correlated with integrity of NO signalling, new onset AF was associated with impaired NO response (6±5% inhibition versus 25±4% inhibition for chronic AF, p Conclusion Recent onset of AF is associated with marked impairment of platelet NO response. These findings may contribute to thromboembolic risk in such patients.