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Plasma viscosity levels in pulmonary thromboembolism
Atilla Guven Atici1, Servet Kayhan1, Davut Aydin1
1Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun Turkey.
Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation
|October 19, 2012
Summary
Elevated plasma viscosity may be a risk factor for pulmonary thromboembolism (PE). This study found higher plasma viscosity in PE patients compared to healthy individuals, suggesting a potential link to thrombosis development.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hematology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including pulmonary thromboembolism (PE), can arise from genetic and acquired thrombophilic risk factors.
- In numerous PE cases, explicit risk factors remain unidentified, necessitating further investigation into potential contributors.
- Blood rheology, particularly plasma viscosity, is a critical factor in circulatory dynamics and thrombosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of plasma viscosity as a risk factor in the development of pulmonary thromboembolism (PE).
- To compare plasma viscosity levels between patients diagnosed with PE and a healthy control group.
- To explore associations between plasma viscosity and other clinical variables in PE patients.
Main Methods:
- A prospective investigation involving 33 patients with confirmed PE and 36 healthy, nonsmoker volunteers.
- Measurement of plasma viscosity levels in both the PE patient group and the control group.
- Statistical analysis to compare plasma viscosity and other biochemical markers (triglyceride, fibrinogen, hematocrit) between groups and to assess correlations.
Main Results:
- Mean plasma viscosity was significantly higher in patients with PE (1.42±0.30 cP) compared to healthy volunteers (1.29±0.22 cP) (p=0.009).
- Significant differences were observed in mean triglyceride, fibrinogen, and hematocrit levels between PE patients and the control group (p<0.05).
- Plasma viscosity in PE patients was not associated with sex, age, smoking status, hematocrit, fibrinogen, total cholesterol, or triglyceride levels.
Conclusions:
- Plasma viscosity levels are elevated in individuals with pulmonary thromboembolism compared to healthy subjects.
- While plasma viscosity is higher in PE patients, further research is required to elucidate the complex interactions between blood rheology factors and thrombosis.
- Identifying novel risk factors like plasma viscosity could improve the understanding and management of PE.
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