[Blood hyperviscosity syndrome in essential arterial hypertension. Characterization and clinical effects]

Blood viscosity (BV) is one determinant of total arterial resistance (TAR) which is usually increased in hypertension. This increase is mainly related to vasoconstriction. In this study, we investigated the blood rheological properties in hypertension and their relation to blood pressure (BP) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) since the latter could be related to increased TAR. BP and echocardiographic measurement of left ventricular mass (LVM) according to Devereux were measured and blood samples obtained from 22 untreated hypertensives aged 31 to 62 (13 men, 9 women) Control group consisted of 30 age-matched, normotensive blood donors. Results are shown in table I. (Formula: see text). A positive significant correlation was found between LVM and BV (r = 0.50; p less than 0.05) red cell filterability (r = 0.53; p less than 0.05) and red cell aggregability (r = 0.57; p less than 0.02). These results suggest that erythrocyte abnormalities are one of the determinants of the hyperviscosity syndrome in hypertension. Some variables of this syndrome were related to LVM and could therefore be among the determinants or a consequence of LVH in hypertensives.