Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation - Volume 21, issue 3-4

Authors: Izzo, P. | Manicone, A. | Spagnuolo, A. | Lauta, V.M. | Di Pasquale, A. | Di Monte, D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The erythrocytes deformability of three blood samples coming from healthy donors has been evaluated by Laser‐assisted Optical Rotational Cell Analyzer (LORCA). Blood samples were stored in CPD SAG‐mannitol. The study of progressive reduction in the Elongation Index (EI) during the preservation may be used as way of evaluation of erythrocyte vitality in stored blood samples.

Keywords: Erythrocytes deformability, LORCA, storage of red cells, CPD SAG‐mannitol

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 21, no. 3-4, pp. 335-339, 1999

Authors: Ciccone, M. | Pestrichella, V. | Rossi, O. | Maiorano, A. | Modugno, M. | De Pergola, G. | Giorgino, R. | Rizzon, P.

Article Type: Research Article

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 21, no. 3-4, pp. 341-342, 1999

Authors: Cicco, G. | Dolce, E. | Vicenti, P. | Stingi, G.D. | Tarallo, M.S. | Pirrelli, A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In postmenopausal hypertensive women (PostMHW) the erythrocyte deformability (ED) is reduced if compared with premenopausal hypertensive women (PreMHW). This might partially explain the increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CD) in hypertensive women after menopause. Moreover a positive correlation exists between estradiol and rheological patterns in women. If PostMHW smoke cigarettes, there is an important decrease in hemorheological parameters. On the other hand if PostMHW are submitted to an hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) they can show controversial results with an impairment if hemorheological parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of smoking and HRT on PostMHW. …We studied four groups of subjects: Group 1: PreMHW (10 F aged 35{}\pm{} 3 years) non smokers; Group 2: PostMHW (8 F aged 45{}\pm{} 2 years) non smokers; Group 3: PostMHW (14 F aged 48{}\pm{} 4 years) smokers (20 cigarettes per day); Group 4: PostMHW (16 F aged 50{}\pm{} 2 years) smokers (20 cigarettes per day) submitted to HRT. We evaluated Elongation Index of erythrocytes under torsion force of 30 pascals (EI – 30 Pa) using a new computerized instrument Laser assisted Optical rotational Red Cell Analyzer (LORCA) (Mechatronics, Hoorn, NL) acc. to Hardeman (1994) and, also with the same LORCA, Aggregation Index (AI), t. We measured the transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure (TcpO_{2} ) in subclavicular standard area using a Transcutaneous Oximeter (Microgas 7650 Kontron Instruments with Combi Sensor) and total cholesterolaemia. In PostMHW our data showed a significant (p<{} 0.01) impairment of hemorheological patterns and tissue oxygenation if compared with PreMHW (Group 1). In Group 3 there is a significant (p<{} 0.01) decrease in EI, a significant (p<{} 0.01) increase in AI, a significant (p<{} 0.01) decrease in t and TcpO_{2} if compared with Control Group 1 and Group 2. Finally a further significant (p<{} 0.01) impairment in hemorheology and tissue oxygenation showed Group 4. In conclusion, it seems necessary, that many studies will be performed to understand really protective action of HRT on cardiovascular diseases in PostMHW and it is necessary to suppress cigarette smoking to prevent cardiovascular complications in these patients. Show more

Keywords: Hemorheology, menopause, hormonal replacement therapy, LORCA

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 21, no. 3-4, pp. 343-347, 1999

Authors: Vetrugno, Michele | Gigante, Gaetano | Cardia, Luigi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Purpose: to assess the effects on choroidal perfusion of scleral buckling and vitrectomy procedures for retinal detachment. Methods: 17 patients were included in the study: 7 underwent scleral buckling and 10 vitrectomy, for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. pOBF Langham system evaluation was performed before and after surgery (the fellow eye served as control). Statistical analysis was based on paired t ‐test. Results: in the scleral buckling group was found a mean change (SD) of 470 (355.32) \mu l/min; in the vitrectomy group the mean difference (SD) was 254.2 (132.53) \mu l/min. In both groups a statistically …significant difference with the control was found. Conclusions: our results show that both surgical procedures affect choroidal perfusion and could impair optic nerve head feeding. Show more

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 21, no. 3-4, pp. 349-352, 1999

Authors: Pollari, G. | Antonini, V. | Izzo, A. | Moreschini, G. | Serraino, M. | Tonelli, V. | D’Angiolino, A. | Migliaccio, M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In chronic respiratory insufficiency secondary erythrocytosis (SPC), causing pulmonary hypertension and dx ventricular insufficiency, is often noticed. An alternative therapy to phlebotomy for SPC is isovolemic large volume erythrocytapheresis performed with cell separator (CSE) in order to quickly remove a large volume of red blood cells (RBC) while saving plasma proteins and clotting factors. In order to evaluate the efficiency and safety of CSE in SPC we reported a retrospective analysis of our experience with 61 SPC patients: from April 1996 to May 1998 we performed 208 CSE using Haemonetics MCS3P (TAE protocol). Before every apheresis procedure we verified Hb …(in median 18.8 g/dl), Ht (in median 58.4%), viscometry, coagulation test, EGA, PFR and ECG. 11 patients were treated with 1 CSE, 12 with 3, 29 with 4 and 9 with 5. The mean volume of RBC removed was 576 ml (range 426–800); Hb post CSE averaged 14.4 g/dl and Ht post CSE averaged 42.7%; hematic viscosity post CSE was significantly reduced while tissue oxygen tension increased: the improvement of symptomatology and hematochemical parameters was maintained on the average for 6.5 months. All the procedures were well tolerated and light side effects (paresthesias citrate‐depending in 27 apheresis) were easily controlled. CSE, compared to phlebotomy, has the advantage of selectively removing RBC without loss of clotting factors, platelets and plasma proteins. Although CSE has relatively high costs we noticed a decrease of hospital recurrence (about 50–65%) in SPC patients treated with apheresis. Show more

Keywords: Erythrocytapheresis, polycythemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, viscometry

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 21, no. 3-4, pp. 353-355, 1999

Authors: Kameneva, M.V. | Watach, M.J. | Borovetz, H.S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: According to official statistical data there is a significant difference between pre‐menopausal women and age‐matched men in morbidity and mortality from cardiac diseases and especially from myocardial infarction. There are several speculations regarding the nature of this phenomenon which have both supporting and refuting evidence. Our hypothesis was that due to regular physiologic bleeding, rheological properties of blood of pre‐menopausal women are superior to those of men, and place such women at a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases than men in any age group. We believe that this difference in hemorheological properties is due to the reduced concentration of …red blood cells (RBCs) and due to greater population of younger and less population of older RBCs in female blood. We studied mechanical properties of blood from 47 pre‐menopausal women and 50 age‐matched men. Compared to female blood, male blood had higher viscosity and RBC aggregation and lower RBC deformability. Oxygen Delivery Index, calculated as a ratio of hematocrit to blood viscosity, was found to be significantly lower in male blood. Decreased oxygen delivery along with increased RBC aggregation and decreased RBC deformability may contribute to the higher risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Regular blood donation may reduce hematocrit and blood viscosity, improve rheological properties of blood, and increase oxygen delivery in men. Show more

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 21, no. 3-4, pp. 357-363, 1999

Authors: Ciccone, M. | Maiorano, A. | De Pergola, G. | Minenna, A. | Giorgino, R. | Rizzon, P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The objective of the present study was to determine whether the intima‐media thickness (IMT) is independently related with obesity, and central fat accumulation in healthy subjects. Common carotid artery IMT, parameters of body fat accumulation and distribution (body mass index, waist circumference, waist‐to‐hip ratio), blood pressure levels, and circulating fasting insulin, glucose, and lipid (cholesterol, HDL‐cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL‐cholesterol) levels were determined in a population of non‐diabetic normal weight and obese subjects. Smoking habits (packs‐years) were also taken into account. 239 healthy subjects (143 women and 96 men), with age ranging between 18 and 45 years, were enrolled into the study. …They were divided indo two groups according to the body mass index (BMI), obese (132 subjects, 77 woman and 55 men, with BMI greater than 27.0) and controls (107 subjects: 66 women and 41 men, with BMI lower than 27.0). Common carotid artery intima‐media thickness was measured by B‐mode ultrasound imaging. Fasting plasma metabolic parameters (glucose and lipids) and insulin levels were determined by enzymatic and radioimmunological assays, respectively. Insulin sensitivity was estimated by insulin tolerance test (ITT) and the rate constant for plasma glucose disappearance (KITT) during the 3‐ to 15‐min period following the regular insulin injection was taken as a measure of in vivo insulin action. Obese patients showed higher IMT than controls, and IMT was significantly associated with BMI in the whole population (r={} 0.316, p<{} 0.001). Age (r={} 0.327, p<{} 0.001), KITT (r=-0.201 , p<{} 0.01), fasting blood glucose (r={} 0.187, p<{} 0.01), LDL‐chol (r={} 0.201, p<{} 0.01), smoking (r={} 0.147, p<{} 0.05), MBP levels (r={} 0.154, p<{} 0.05), cholesterol (r={} 0.152, p<{} 0.05) and HDL‐chol (r=-0.159 , p<{} 0.05) were also significantly associated with IMT. Age (r={} 0.330, p<{} 0.05), BMI (r={} 0.299, p<{} 0.01),waist (r={} 0.312, p<{} 0.001), WHR (r={} 0.266, p<{} 0.001) and KITT (r=-0.259 , p<{} 0.01) were the parameters most strongly correlated with IMT in women, and age (r={} 0.324, p<{} 0.001), BMI (r={} 0.338, p<{} 0.001) waist (r={} 0.325, p<{} 0.001) and LDL‐chol (r={} 0.283, p<{} 0.01) where the parameters most strongly correlated with IMT in men. When a stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed for the whole population, only age (p<{} 0.001) and BMI (p<{} 0.001) maintained a significant positive relationship with IMT. When a stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed separately for men and women, BMI or waist circumference or WHR were alternatively entered into the model; interestingly, only age, BMI and waist were still significantly correlated with IMT, whereas WHR did not maintain a significant correlation with IMT. In conclusion, BMI and waist circumference, but not WHR, are strongly and independently associated with the IMT of common carotid artery. These results suggests that central fat accumulation may accelerate the development of earlier clinically silent stages of atherosclerosis, thus possibly explaining the higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in patients with abdominal obesity. Show more

Keywords: Obesity, central fat, intima‐media thickness, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular risk

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 21, no. 3-4, pp. 365-374, 1999

Authors: Labrador, V. | Legrand, S. | Muller, S. | Carl, P. | Senger, B. | Voegel, J.‐C. | Latger‐Cannard, V. | Stoltz, J.‐F.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The adhesion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) on the vascular endothelium is a complex process that occurs during biological and pathological events and involves a large family of molecules. This phenomenom could be approached by a modelisation study of the adhesion of PMNs on a biological substrate, fibrinogen. Two different physiological conditions were tested such as the activated state of PMNs with a synthetic pro‐inflammatory activator (N‐Formyl‐Methionyl‐Leucyl‐Phenylalanin, FMLP). The activated state of PMNs was both quantified by flow cytometry and controlled by fluorescence microscopy. The results suggest that quiescent PMNs deposit in accordance with the ballistic deposition model. The preliminary …results obtained with FMLP‐stimulated PMNs show a different deposit process compared to quiescent PMNs but do not allow to determine exactly a deposition model. Show more

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 21, no. 3-4, pp. 375-382, 1999

Authors: Alexandratou, E. | Yova, D. | Cokkinos, D.V.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Digital imaging microscopy plays an important role in computer aided cytological and histological diagnosis. In this study, digital imaging microscopy was used to measure Red Blood Cells (RBCs) morphometric characteristics such as area, perimeter, major and minor axis length, elongation, compactness and roughness in both groups: healthy individuals and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patients. All the measured characteristics, except elongation, showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups. In particular, patients with CAD presented greater values than healthy ones. Finally multivariate analysis was used in order to take into account the whole measured profile of each patient. Compactness, perimeter …and elongation improved the diagnostic ability, whereas all the others did not show any significant improvement. These three characteristics correctly classify the 84.5% of the patients. In conclusion, RBCs morphometric characteristics could be considered as diagnostic factors for CAD. Show more

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 21, no. 3-4, pp. 383-388, 1999

Authors: Casavola, C. | Paunescu, L.A. | Fantini, S. | Franceschini, M.A. | Lugarà, P.M. | Gratton, E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive technique to measure the tissue oxygenation in real time. This optical method has many advantages over the invasive analysis currently used for clinical tests. Among the possible applications of near‐infrared oxymetry, we report three protocols (exercise, venous occlusion and tilting table) in conjunction with NIRS, and discuss their applicability in the diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease (PVD).

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 21, no. 3-4, pp. 389-393, 1999