[Increase of erythrocyte aggregation in retinal vein occlusion]

Erythrocyte aggregation is one of the principal determinants of blood viscosity at low shear rates (low flow). Anatomical and hemodynamical characteristics make retinal venous circulation particularly dependent on hemorheological factors. Erythrocyte aggregation and other laboratory parameters (haematocrit, fibrinogen, plasma proteins, clotting) were measured in 85 patients presenting with retinal vein occlusion and 64 controls matched for age, sex and vascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, smoking). Statistical analysis of the results demonstrated a significant difference between the retinal vein occlusion group an the control group for erythrocyte aggregation (p less than 0.001 for the aggregation index at 10 sec and for the threshold of dissociation). The fibrinogen level, haematocrit and plasma proteins (albumin, IgA, IgG, IgM, total proteins, 2-macroglobulin) were similar in the two groups. No statistically significant difference for erythrocyte aggregation was observed between occlusions of the venous branch and occlusions of the central retinal vein or between ischaemic and non-ischaemic forms. These results suggest that raised erythrocyte aggregation mainly explains the increase in blood viscosity previously demonstrated, and could play a role in the constitution of retinal vein occlusion.