A total of 105 participants were enrolled (55 patients with NVAF and 50 controls). Eligible participants comprised individuals with a history of AF documented by electrocardiogram within the 12 months before collection, and for whom chronic oral anticoagulation was indicated (CHA2DS2-VASC ≥ 2). The patients were enrolled from the outpatient clinics of the hospitals of Lifecenter, Semper, and Ipsemg (Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil) during the period from October 2013 to January 2017. A group of controls composed of individuals in sinus rhythm with no previous diagnosis of AF or use of any anticoagulant therapy was recruited from the local community.
Participants were excluded if they had used any antiplatelet agent, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heparin, hormone replacement therapy, antifibrinolytics, amiodarone, verapamil, quinidine, azole antifungals, or ritonavir in the 4 weeks prior to the study. Subjects were also excluded if they presented a current diagnosis of an alcohol use disorder, chronic kidney disease (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min), severe dyslipidemia, bleeding disorders, liver and thyroid diseases, infectious, inflammatory, autoimmune, or malignant diseases, pregnancy, puerperium, and breastfeeding.
Participants were excluded if they had used any antiplatelet agent, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heparin, hormone replacement therapy, antifibrinolytics, amiodarone, verapamil, quinidine, azole antifungals, or ritonavir in the 4 weeks prior to the study. Subjects were also excluded if they presented a current diagnosis of an alcohol use disorder, chronic kidney disease (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min), severe dyslipidemia, bleeding disorders, liver and thyroid diseases, infectious, inflammatory, autoimmune, or malignant diseases, pregnancy, puerperium, and breastfeeding.
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