Related Experiment Videos
Increased whole blood and plasma viscosity in patients with angina pectoris and "normal" coronary arteries
H Larsson1, C G Gustavsson, H Odeberg
1Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Insights
Patients with angina pectoris, even without coronary artery blockages, show higher blood and plasma viscosity. This suggests increased viscosity is a key factor in angina, regardless of artery stenosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Hematology
Background:
- Angina pectoris is often associated with coronary artery disease.
- The role of hemorheological factors in angina without significant coronary stenosis is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate blood and plasma viscosity in patients with effort-induced angina pectoris.
- To compare viscosity levels in patients with and without coronary artery stenosis.
Main Methods:
- Measured whole blood and plasma viscosity.
- Included patients with angina and no coronary stenosis, angina with coronary artery disease, and healthy controls.
- Standardized hematocrit to 45% for blood viscosity analysis.
Main Results:
- Both patient groups exhibited significantly higher whole blood viscosity compared to healthy controls.
- Plasma viscosity was also significantly elevated in both patient groups.
- Patients without coronary stenosis showed viscosity levels comparable to those with stenosis.
Conclusions:
- Increased blood and plasma viscosity are pathological findings in angina pectoris, irrespective of coronary artery stenosis.
- Hemorheological abnormalities may contribute to angina symptoms even without obstructive coronary artery disease.
- Elevated viscosity should be considered in the comprehensive assessment of angina pectoris.
Abstract:
Blood and plasma viscosity was measured in eight patients with typical effort-induced angina pectoris who did not have coronary artery stenosis at angiography. The same variables were studied in 14 patients with angina pectoris and verified coronary artery disease that in most cases was extensive. Both groups of patients had significantly higher viscosity values in whole blood, at natural hematocrit as well as standardized hematocrit (45%), than 25 healthy subjects serving as a reference group. Plasma viscosity was also significantly elevated in both patient groups. The patients without coronary artery stenosis had as high blood and plasma viscosity values as had the stenosis group. It is concluded that increased blood and plasma viscosity should be added to the list of pathological findings in patients with angina pectoris in the absence of organic coronary artery stenosis.