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Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
07:30

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions

Published on: April 23, 2021

Increased whole blood viscosity is associated with silent cerebral infarction

Rui-yan Li1, Zhi-gang Cao2, Ying Li3,4

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.

Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation
|August 31, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Silent cerebral infarction (SCI) is linked to higher whole blood viscosity (WBV). Increased WBV is a significant risk factor for SCI, independent of other cardiovascular conditions. Early WBV measurement may aid stroke risk assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Silent cerebral infarction (SCI) is a known risk factor for stroke, dementia, and cardiovascular disease.
  • Increased blood viscosity is associated with various conditions including aging, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
  • Understanding hemorheological parameters in SCI is crucial for risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between hemorheological parameters and the presence of silent cerebral infarction (SCI).
  • To determine if specific blood viscosity measurements are associated with SCI in a general medical check-up population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 1487 participants (868 men, 619 women) undergoing medical examinations.
  • Evaluation of hemorheological parameters, specifically whole blood viscosity (WBV) at low shear rate.
  • Statistical analysis including logistic regression to assess the association between WBV and SCI, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

  • Participants with SCI exhibited significantly higher whole blood viscosity (WBV) at low shear rates compared to those without SCI (10.34 ± 1.77 mPa.s vs. 8.98 ± 0.88 mPa.s, P < 0.001).
  • A higher prevalence of SCI was observed in subjects with elevated WBV.
  • Logistic regression confirmed a significant association between WBV levels and SCI risk (OR: 2.025; 95% CI: 1.750-2.343; P < 0.001) after adjusting for confounding factors.

Conclusions:

  • Whole blood viscosity at low shear rate emerges as a novel indicator for silent cerebral infarction (SCI).
  • This association holds true irrespective of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Early assessment of whole blood viscosity may offer a valuable tool for evaluating stroke risk.
Abstract

Keywords:
Silent cerebral infarctionatherosclerosisrisk factorswhole blood viscosity

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