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[Evaluation of blood viscosity and erythrocyte filterability in chronic ischemic heart disease]
Insights
Patients with chronic ischemic heart disease show higher blood viscosity and plasma viscosity, alongside reduced red blood cell filterability. These hemorheological changes suggest potential for microcirculation-improving treatments.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hemodynamics
- Biophysics
Context:
- Chronic ischemic heart disease (IHD) encompasses conditions like myocardial infarction and angina.
- Altered blood rheology may contribute to IHD pathophysiology and complications.
- Understanding hemorheological changes is crucial for managing IHD.
Purpose:
- To investigate differences in hemorheological parameters between IHD patients and healthy controls.
- To assess blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and red blood cell filterability in IHD.
- To explore the clinical implications of these hemorheological findings.
Summary:
- This study compared hemorheological parameters in 40 IHD patients (myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stable angina) and 40 controls.
- Blood viscosity (p<0.01), plasma viscosity (p<0.001), and red cell filterability (p<0.001) were significantly altered in IHD patients.
- Elevated viscosity and impaired filterability were particularly noted in unstable angina and post-myocardial infarction patients.
Impact:
- Findings highlight significant hemorheological disturbances in IHD.
- Altered rheology, especially in severe IHD forms, indicates potential therapeutic targets.
- Pharmacological interventions aimed at improving hemorheology could enhance microcirculation in IHD patients.
Abstract:
In 40 patients suffering from chronic ischemic heart disease (16 with history of myocardial infarction, 10 with unstable angina and 14 with stable angina) and in an equal number of sex-and age-matched control subjects, we have determined plasma and blood viscosity according to RAND et al. using a Wells-Brookfield Micro-Viscometer, shear rate 230 sec-1, and red cell filterability according to REID et al. Significant differences were found in patients suffering from ischemic heart disease, in comparison with the control group, for blood viscosity (p less than 0.01), plasma viscosity (p less than 0.001) and red cell filterability (p less than 0.001). The changes of hemorheological parameters in ischemic heart disease, especially in patients suffering from unstable angina and in those with history of myocardial infarction, point to the opportunity of a pharmacological treatment aiming at improving the district microcirculation.