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The hemorheologic effects of hand-transmitted vibration
1Department of Vascular Surgery, St. James University Hospital, Leeds, England.
Angiology
|October 6, 1997
Summary
Acute hand-transmitted vibration significantly impacts blood flow in Vibration White Finger (VWF) patients. Vibration exposure increased red cell transit time and hemoconcentration in VWF individuals, unlike healthy controls.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Hemology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Vibration White Finger (VWF) is an ischemic condition linked to prolonged hand-held tool use.
- The underlying pathophysiology of VWF remains poorly understood.
- Assessing acute hemorheologic effects of hand-transmitted vibration is crucial for understanding VWF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immediate hemorheologic impact of acute hand-transmitted vibration.
- To compare the effects of vibration on blood parameters between VWF patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-two men (29 VWF, 23 controls) participated.
- Subjects gripped a vibrating handle (120 Hz, 0.25 mm amplitude) for 7.5 minutes.
- Blood samples analyzed pre- and post-vibration for hematocrit, plasma hemoglobin, plasma viscosity, and red cell transit time (RCTT).
Main Results:
- No baseline differences in RCTT, plasma viscosity, hematocrit, or plasma hemoglobin between groups.
- Acute vibration significantly increased RCTT in the VWF group only.
- Both groups showed increased plasma viscosity, hematocrit, and plasma hemoglobin post-vibration.
- Strong correlations observed between changes in plasma viscosity, hemoglobin, and hematocrit in both groups.
Conclusions:
- Hand-transmitted vibration induces hemoconcentration.
- VWF patients exhibit altered red cell transit time responses to acute vibration.
- Findings suggest vibration-induced hemoconcentration may contribute to VWF pathophysiology.