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Hemorheological changes in children with polygenic hypercholesterolemia
1Department of Clinical Pathology, Valencia, Spain.
Insights
Polygenic hypercholesterolemia (PH) in children is linked to altered blood flow properties, specifically increased erythrocyte aggregation and plasma viscosity. These rheological changes occur without detectable atherosclerotic lesions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Clinical Hematology
Background:
- Polygenic hypercholesterolemia (PH) is a common condition causing elevated plasma lipids in children.
- Understanding the early vascular effects of PH is crucial for long-term cardiovascular health.
- Rheological alterations, or changes in blood flow properties, are potential early indicators of vascular dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between polygenic hypercholesterolemia (PH) in children and hemorheological alterations.
- To determine if lipid profile changes in PH are linked to modifications in blood flow characteristics.
- To assess for early signs of vascular changes using carotid ultrasound in PH children.
Main Methods:
- Hemorheological parameters and lipid profiles were measured in 21 children with PH and a matched control group.
- Erythrocyte aggregation (at stasis and low shear rate) and plasma viscosity were quantified.
- Carotid ultrasound was performed on PH children to evaluate for atherosclerotic alterations.
Main Results:
- PH children exhibited significantly increased erythrocyte aggregation at stasis (EAM0) compared to controls (p < 0.05).
- Elevated erythrocyte aggregation at low shear rate (EAM1) was observed in PH children (p < 0.01).
- Plasma viscosity (PV) was significantly higher in PH children versus the control group (p < 0.01).
- Carotid ultrasounds revealed no demonstrable atherosclerotic lesions in the PH children.
Conclusions:
- Children with polygenic hypercholesterolemia show distinct rheological modifications, including enhanced erythrocyte aggregation and increased plasma viscosity.
- These findings support the hypothesis that alterations in lipid metabolism are associated with specific rheological changes.
- The observed rheological alterations in PH children occur independently of detectable atherosclerotic lesions, suggesting potential early vascular changes.
Abstract:
In order to ascertain whether polygenic hypercholesterolemia (PH), the most common cause of small increases in plasma lipids during childhood, is associated with rheological alterations, we determined the hemorheological and lipid profile of 21 PH children (12 males, 9 females) and a well-matched control group (CG). In addition, a carotid ultrasound was done on all the PH children, but showed no alterations. When compared with the CG, PH children showed increased erythrocyte aggregation both at stasis (EAM0) (4.39+/-1.15 vs. 3.75+/-1.02), p < 0.05, and at low shear rate (EAM1) (8.22+/-1.42 vs. 7+/-1.39), p < 0.01, and increased plasma viscosity (PV) (1.19+/-0.04 cP vs. 1.15+/-0.04 cP), p < 0.01. These results reinforce the hypothesis that lipid metabolic alterations are associated with specific rheological modifications in absence of a demonstrable atherosclerotic lesion.