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Blood viscosity as a forgotten factor and its effect on pulmonary flow
Gulfidan Cakmak1, Fatma Ates Alkan2, Kazim Korkmaz3
1Department of Chest Disease, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Millet St Fatih, Istanbul, 34096, Turkey. gulfidan70@gmail.com.
Translational Respiratory Medicine
|May 29, 2016
Summary
Elevated blood viscosity (BV) impacts pulmonary blood flow (PBF) in smokers and ex-smokers, potentially preceding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This suggests BV is a key factor in cardiovascular health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Pulmonary Circulation Research
- Smoking-Related Health Effects
Background:
- The impact of smoking on blood viscosity (BV) is established, but its influence on pulmonary circulation remains understudied.
- Few investigations have explored the relationship between blood viscosity and pulmonary circulation dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between blood viscosity and pulmonary circulation parameters in smokers, ex-smokers, and never-smokers.
- To determine if blood viscosity influences pulmonary blood flow and right ventricular systolic pressure across different smoking statuses.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 114 participants divided into three groups: ex-smokers, current smokers (≥10 pack-years), and never-smokers.
- Measurement of blood viscosity (BV), pulmonary blood flow (PBF), and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) in all study participants.
Main Results:
- Pulmonary blood flow (PBF) was significantly reduced in ex-smokers compared to never-smokers (p < 0.05).
- Blood viscosity (BV) was significantly higher in both ex-smokers and current smokers compared to never-smokers (p < 0.05).
- Current smokers exhibited significantly lower PBF than never-smokers (p = 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Blood viscosity (BV) is a critical, often overlooked factor in pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases.
- Elevated BV may impact pulmonary function during smoking and precede the clinical manifestation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Assessing BV could enable early detection of individuals at risk for pulmonary hypertension.
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