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Updated: Aug 9, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing the Analysis of Plasma Extracellular Vesicle Proteome for Cardiovascular Biomarker Studies
Published on: January 31, 2025
Plasma viscosity, immunoglobulins and risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality: new data and meta-analyses
Gordon D O Lowe1, Katie Harris2, Wolfgang Koenig3,4
1Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Insights
Increased plasma viscosity is linked to higher risks of coronary heart disease (CHD) events and mortality. Immunoglobulin (Ig) levels showed no significant association with CHD events or mortality, except for a borderline link with IgA and all-cause mortality.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Plasma viscosity, a measure of blood's resistance to flow, is influenced by immunoglobulin (Ig) levels.
- Elevated plasma viscosity is a potential risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
- The relationship between plasma viscosity, Ig levels, and cardiovascular outcomes requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between plasma viscosity and immunoglobulin levels with incident coronary heart disease (CHD) events.
- To assess the association of plasma viscosity and Ig levels with CHD, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and all-cause mortality.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of plasma viscosity data from multiple large cohort studies, including MONICA/Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg, MONICA Glasgow, and Speedwell.
- Meta-analysis of IgA, IgG, and IgM levels from the Augsburg, Glasgow, and Speedwell studies, along with one additional published study.
- Statistical analysis adjusted for major cardiovascular risk factors.
Main Results:
- A 1 SD increase in plasma viscosity was significantly associated with a 14% increased risk of CHD events (HR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.09-1.20) and a 21% increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.17-1.25) after adjustment.
- No significant associations were found between IgA, IgG, or IgM levels and incident CHD events.
- IgA, IgG, and IgM levels did not show significant associations with CHD, CVD, or all-cause mortality, with a borderline association observed for IgA and all-cause mortality (HR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02-1.13).
Conclusions:
- Plasma viscosity is a significant, independent risk factor for CHD events, CVD, and all-cause mortality.
- Immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG, IgM) are not significantly associated with incident CHD events or mortality.
- Plasma viscosity may serve as a valuable biomarker for cardiovascular risk assessment.
Aims:
Associations of plasma viscosity and plasma Ig levels (a determinant of viscosity) with incident coronary heart disease (CHD) events; and with CHD, cardiovascular disease (CVD: CHD and stroke) and all-cause mortalities.
Methods:
Meta-analysis of plasma viscosity levels from the MONitoring of trends and determinants of CArdiovascular (MONICA)/Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg, MONICA Glasgow and Speedwell Studies; and five other published studies. Meta-analysis of IgA, IgG and IgM levels from the Augsburg, Glasgow and Speedwell studies; and one other published study.
Results:
Over median follow-up periods of 14-26 years, there were 2270 CHD events, and 4220 all cause deaths in 28 605 participants with baseline plasma viscosity measurements. After adjustment for major risk factors, (HRs; 95% CIs) for a 1 SD increase in viscosity were 1.14 (1.09 to 1.20) for CHD events; and 1.21 (1.17 to 1.25) for all-cause mortality. 821 CHD events and 2085 all-cause deaths occurred in 8218 participants with baseline Ig levels. For CHD events, adjusted HRs for 1 SD increases in IgA, IgG and IgM were, respectively, 0.97 (0.89 to 1.05); 0.95(0.76 to 1.17) and 0.90 (0.79 to 1.03). Corresponding adjusted HRs for all-cause mortality were 1.08 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.13), 1.03 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.14) and 1.01 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.06).
Conclusions:
After risk factor adjustment, plasma viscosity was significantly associated with risks of CHD events; and with CHD, CVD and all-cause mortalities. We found no significant association of IgA, IgG or IgM levels with incident CHD events or mortality, except for a borderline association of IgA with all-cause mortality.
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