Hemorheological alterations in carotid artery stenosis
Kinga Totsimon1, Alexandra Nagy2, Barbara Sandor1
11st Department of Medicine, University of Pecs, Medical School, Hungary.
Insights
Altered hemorheological parameters may indicate carotid atherosclerosis but cannot determine the severity of carotid artery stenosis (CAS). This study investigated hemorheological changes in patients with CAS and cerebrovascular disorders.
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.
Background:
Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is not only an important risk factor of cerebrovascular events but it can also indicate generalized atherosclerosis. Hemorheological parameters are altered in CAS and in chronic cerebrovascular disorders as well, but it is controversial if hemorheological parameters could be markers of stenosis or atherosclerosis.
Methods:
107 patients were investigated, 40% of them had stroke or TIA in case history and 48% had CAS. Routine lab parameters were determined and hemorheological variables were measured: hematocrit, plasma viscosity, whole blood viscosity, red blood cell aggregation, and deformability.
Results:
In the stenotic group whole blood viscosity and red blood cell aggregation were deteriorated (p < 0.05). Whole blood and plasma viscosity were higher and red blood cell deformability was lower in the symptomatic group (p < 0.05). Plasma viscosity and red blood cell deformability were altered in the evolving atherosclerosis group and the CAS groups compared to patients having no signs of stenosis (p < 0.05), but there was no difference among the CAS groups.
Conclusion:
Although hemorheological parameters are impaired both in CAS and chronic cerebrovascular disorders, the severity of stenosis cannot be detected based on hemorheological parameters. Our investigation suggests that alteration of hemorheological parameters could indicate carotid atherosclerosis.
