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Changed blood rheology in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
C G Gustavsson1, S U Persson, H Larsson
1Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Insights
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients exhibit abnormal blood rheology, including higher viscosity and impaired red blood cell filterability. These hemorheologic changes may worsen coronary blood flow and myocardial microcirculation in DCM.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hematology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is associated with reduced coronary blood flow and myocardial microcirculatory disturbances.
- The role of blood rheology in the pathophysiology of DCM requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the hemorheologic properties of blood in patients with DCM and healthy controls.
- To identify specific rheological abnormalities that may contribute to the progression of DCM.
Main Methods:
- Whole-blood viscosity was measured at four shear rates using a rotational viscometer in 8 DCM patients and 10 healthy subjects.
- Erythrocyte filterability, hematocrit, plasma viscosity, and biochemical markers (fibrinogen, HDL-cholesterol) were assessed.
Main Results:
- DCM patients showed significantly higher whole-blood viscosity at all shear rates compared to controls.
- Erythrocyte filterability (5 microns pore size) was significantly reduced in DCM patients.
- DCM patients had higher fibrinogen and lower HDL-cholesterol levels.
Conclusions:
- Patients with DCM exhibit significant hemorheologic abnormalities, including increased blood viscosity and decreased erythrocyte filterability.
- These rheological disturbances may contribute to impaired coronary blood flow and myocardial microcirculation in DCM.
- Therapeutic strategies targeting hemorheologic factors could be beneficial for DCM management.
Abstract:
Rheologic properties of blood were studied in 8 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and in 10 healthy subjects. Whole-blood viscosity was measured at four different shear rates, by means of a computer-controlled rotational viscometer. The patients had significantly higher blood viscosity at all shear rates, both at their natural hematocrits and after an in vitro adjustment of sample hematocrits to 45%. Erythrocyte filterability (5 microns pore size) was significantly lower, fibrinogen concentration significantly higher, and HDL-cholesterol concentration significantly lower in the patient group. No significant differences were found regarding hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, hemoglobin concentration, leukocyte count and filterability (8 microns pore size), plasma viscosity, and total cholesterol concentration. The measured hemorheologic abnormalities may contribute to the previously reported reduction of coronary blood flow reserve in DCM patients and to myocardial microcirculatory disturbances, which have been suggested as a cause for DCM.