Hemorheological alterations in carotid artery stenosis

Area of Science:

• Vascular Medicine
• Hematology
• Neurology

Background:

• Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is a significant risk factor for cerebrovascular events and a marker of generalized atherosclerosis.
• Hemorheological parameters are known to be altered in CAS and chronic cerebrovascular disorders.
• The utility of hemorheological parameters as markers for stenosis or atherosclerosis remains debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between hemorheological parameters and carotid artery stenosis (CAS).
• To determine if hemorheological parameters can serve as indicators of atherosclerosis severity.
• To assess hemorheological alterations in patients with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Main Methods:

• Investigated 107 patients, with 48% diagnosed with CAS and 40% having a history of stroke or TIA.
• Measured routine laboratory parameters alongside hemorheological variables: hematocrit, plasma viscosity, whole blood viscosity, red blood cell aggregation, and deformability.
• Compared hemorheological profiles across groups with varying degrees of stenosis and atherosclerosis.

Main Results:

• Deterioration in whole blood viscosity and red blood cell aggregation was observed in the stenotic group (p < 0.05).
• Symptomatic patients exhibited higher whole blood and plasma viscosity, and lower red blood cell deformability (p < 0.05).
• Plasma viscosity and red blood cell deformability were altered in evolving atherosclerosis and CAS groups compared to non-stenotic patients (p < 0.05), with no significant differences among CAS subgroups.

Conclusions:

• Hemorheological parameters are impaired in both CAS and chronic cerebrovascular disorders.
• The severity of carotid artery stenosis cannot be reliably determined using hemorheological parameters.
• Alterations in hemorheological parameters suggest potential as indicators of carotid atherosclerosis.