Plasma viscosity and fibrinogen in relation to haemodynamic findings in chronic congestive heart failure

A Hoffmeister1, J Hetzel, S Sander

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine II-Cardiology, University of Ulm, Germany.

Insights

This study examined inflammation markers like fibrinogen and plasma viscosity in stable heart failure patients with coronary heart disease. Findings relate these markers to hemodynamic and clinical outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Inflammation Research

Background:

  • Stable chronic heart failure (CHF) is a significant cardiovascular condition.
  • Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a primary cause of CHF.
  • Inflammatory processes are increasingly recognized in the pathophysiology of heart failure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the inflammatory response in stable CHF patients with CHD.
  • To correlate inflammatory markers (fibrinogen, plasma viscosity) with hemodynamic and clinical findings.

Main Methods:

  • Patient cohort: stable CHF due to CHD.
  • Biomarker analysis: fibrinogen levels and plasma viscosity.
  • Clinical assessment: evaluation of hemodynamic and clinical parameters.

Main Results:

  • Fibrinogen and plasma viscosity were assessed as indicators of inflammatory response.
  • The relationship between these inflammatory markers and hemodynamic/clinical findings was explored.

Conclusions:

  • Inflammation, indicated by fibrinogen and plasma viscosity, plays a role in stable CHF associated with CHD.
  • Understanding these inflammatory markers may offer insights into disease progression and management.

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Vascular Resistance01:20

Vascular Resistance

Vascular resistance is a critical concept in understanding blood flow dynamics in the circulatory system. It refers to the resistance that blood encounters as it flows through the blood vessels. This resistance is a key factor in determining blood pressure and cardiac workload.
The primary determinants of vascular resistance are vessel diameter, blood viscosity, and vessel length. Among these, vessel diameter plays the most significant role due to the fourth power relationship described by...
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
Imbalances in Cardiac Output01:26

Imbalances in Cardiac Output

The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
Composition of Blood Plasma01:24

Composition of Blood Plasma

Blood plasma is a fluid that contains approximately 92% water and 8% solutes. The solutes include various types of proteins, which constitute about 7% of the total solutes in the plasma. The high-molecular-weight proteins—albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen—are essential to plasma function. Albumins, making up about 60% of the plasma proteins, maintain the osmotic balance within blood vessels by preventing excessive water leakage. Additionally, albumins serve as carrier proteins, binding to...