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Viscoelasticity and red blood cell aggregation in patients with coronary heart disease
R Hahn1, P M Müller-Seydlitz, K H Jöckel
1Division of Cardiology, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Stuttgart, West Germany.
Insights
Elevated blood viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation were observed in patients with coronary heart disease. These hemorheologic changes were linked to higher hematocrit, fibrinogen, and cholesterol levels.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hematology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
- Hemorheologic factors, including blood viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation, may play a role in CHD pathogenesis.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for risk stratification and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between viscoelastic parameters and the extent of coronary artery stenosis in male patients with CHD.
- To identify the key hemorheologic factors contributing to increased blood viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation in CHD patients.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of viscoelastic parameters in 169 male patients with clinical signs of CHD.
- Classification of patients based on the extent of coronary artery stenosis.
- Statistical analysis including multiple linear regression to identify correlations.
Main Results:
- Elevated levels of blood viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation, and plasma viscosity were noted in patients with extensive coronary artery disease.
- These increases were primarily attributed to higher concentrations of hematocrit, fibrinogen, and cholesterol.
- A significant correlation was found between plasma fibrinogen and plasma viscosity.
Conclusions:
- Hemorheologic alterations are present in patients with coronary heart disease.
- Hematocrit, fibrinogen, and cholesterol are key determinants of increased blood viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation in this population.
- These findings highlight the potential role of hemorheologic modifications in CHD progression.
Abstract:
Viscoelastic parameters were evaluated in 169 consecutive male patients with clinical signs of coronary heart disease. The patients were classified according to the extent of coronary artery stenosis. Levels of blood viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation, and plasma viscosity were elevated in patients with extensive coronary vessel disease. However, the differences between the several groups were not statistically significant. The increase of hemorheologic parameters was mainly due to high hematocrit, fibrinogen, and cholesterol concentrations. There was a significant correlation between plasma fibrinogen values and plasma viscosity levels. Blood viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation can be described by multiple linear regression as a function of the sum of log hematocrit, fibrinogen, cholesterol, and alpha 2-macroglobulin.