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A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology
09:33

A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology

Published on: February 7, 2015

Whole blood viscosity and haematocrit are associated with internal carotid atherosclerosis in men

C Carallo1, A Pujia, C Irace

  • 1Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Centro Aterosclerosi, University of Reggio Calabria, Catanzaro, Italy.

Coronary Artery Disease
|July 1, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Increased blood viscosity and hematocrit are linked to carotid atherosclerosis in men, even without traditional risk factors. This finding highlights the importance of these blood parameters in cardiovascular health.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Vascular Biology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Blood viscosity and hematocrit alterations are noted in cardiovascular diseases, but findings are often confounded by coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors.
  • Previous studies have yielded inconclusive results regarding the independent role of these parameters in cerebrovascular diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if blood viscosity and hematocrit are elevated in patients with internal carotid atherosclerosis (ICA).
  • To determine if these elevations are independent of common CHD risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving male patients with internal carotid atherosclerosis (ICA+, n=28) and matched controls (ICA-, n=28).
  • Matching criteria included age and classical CHD risk factors.
  • Measurements included plasma lipids, glucose, fibrinogen, whole blood viscosity at specific shear rates, and carotid artery echo-Doppler.

Main Results:

  • Patients with ICA showed significantly higher whole blood viscosity (at 450/s shear rate) and hematocrit compared to controls.
  • Key parameters like blood pressure, plasma lipids, glucose, body mass index, fibrinogen, and plasma viscosity were similar between the groups.
  • These differences were observed independently of established CHD risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated blood viscosity and hematocrit are independently associated with internal carotid atherosclerosis in men.
  • These findings suggest that blood rheology may play a direct role in the development of carotid atherosclerosis.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the clinical implications and potential therapeutic targets related to blood viscosity in atherosclerosis.
Abstract

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