Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation - Volume 29, issue 1

Article Type: Other

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 1-2, 2003

Authors: Ercan, M. | Koksal, C. | Konukoglu, D. | Bozkurt, A.K. | Onen, S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma viscosity and lipoprotein and apolipoprotein pattern in normo‐ and hypercholesterolemic patients with peripheral occlusive arterial disease (POAD). 40 patients with POAD have been selected (8 females and 32 males, mean age: 54±3.2 years) with clinically evident superficial femoral occlusive artery disease. They were separated into two groups as normocholesterolemic (plasma total cholesterol <200 mg/dl) and hypercholesterolemic (plasma total cholesterol >200 mg/dl). Plasma total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), triglycerides, total protein, and albumin levels were determined by enzymatic methods using commercial kits. …Levels of apolipoprotein AI (apo AI), and apolipoprotein B (apo B) were measured using a immunoturbidometric method. Plasma viscosity (PV) was measured by capillary viscometer. Classifying the patients with PAOD according to the cholesterol levels; hypercholesterolemic (mean total‐cholesterol: 227.90±26.97 mg/dl) patients had significantly higher LDL‐C, PV and triglyceride levels compared with nornocholesterolemic patients (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). HDL‐C and apo B were significantly lower in hypercholesterolemic patients than in normocholesterolemic patients (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). PV was positively correlated with total cholesterol (r=0.485, p<0.05), atherogenic index (r=0.624, p<0.01), total‐C/HDL‐C ratio (r=0.624, p<0.05), and LDL‐C/HDL‐C ratio (r=0.707, p<0.001) in hypercholesterolemic patients with POAD. PV was higher in hypercholesterolemic patients with POAD than in normocholesterolemic patients with POAD. We suggest that POAD patients should be regarded as a heterogenous group with lipid and lipoprotein parameters in order to assess the microcirculation in the affected limb. In case of dyslipidemia in POAD patients an elevated plasma viscosity should be considered as coexisting risk factor. Show more

Keywords: Peripheral occlusive arterial disease, cholesterol, plasma viscosity, lipoprotein, atherogenic index

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 3-9, 2003

Authors: Caimi, G. | Hoffmann, E. | Montana, M. | Canino, B. | Dispensa, F. | Catania, A. | Lo Presti, R.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in young people has recently received great attention. Its main characteristics include a typical risk factor profile and a good prognosis. We studied the haemorheological pattern (whole blood viscosity at high and low shear rates, plasma and serum viscosity, whole‐blood filtration and erythrocyte aggregation) in 64 subjects, aged <46 years, with recent AMI. We observed marked alterations in blood, plasma and serum viscosity and whole‐blood filtration. Subdividing the AMI subjects in accordance with the number of cardiovascular risk factors or the extent of coronary lesions, we did not observe any significative influence of these aspects on …the haemorheological determinants, with the exception of low shear rate blood viscosity. The latter was in fact higher than in control subjects only in AMI subgroups with respectively more risk factors and more stenosed coronary vessels. Thirty‐three AMI subjects were re‐examined after three months and showed, on this occasion, a haemorheological pattern not significantly different from that of the first evaluation. These results demonstrate that in young subjects with AMI there is a hyperviscosity syndrome that persists during subsequent months, despite a good clinical course. Haemorheological impairment may unfavourably influence the long‐term prognosis of AMI in young subjects and therefore, in our opinion, management should take into account the monitoring of the haemorheological pattern. Show more

Keywords: Juvenile myocardial infarction, cardiovascular risk factors, blood rheology, whole‐blood filtration

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 11-18, 2003

Authors: Melnikov, Andrey A. | Vikulov, Alexander D. | Bagrakova, Svetlana V.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: It is well established that exercise performance in athletes is related to improved blood fluidity. However, training effects on functional state of endothelium and relations of endothelial cell functions with hemorheology are poorly known. Circulating levels of von Willebrand factor may serve as a good marker of endothelial cell functions, its activation, and damage. Relationships between von Willebrand factor antigen (vWf) and blood rheology in 30 endurance sportsmen were investigated. Athletes were divided according to vWf into tertile groups. Compared to 16 controls, all subgroups of sportsmen had a lower erythrocyte rigidity index Tk (p<0.05–0.01), explained by lower values of …mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (p<0.05–0.01), and a higher W170 . The lower tertile group (<0.35 U/ml) had a lower blood viscosity (p<0.05), explained by a lower Tk, and a lower erythrocyte aggregability index (microscopy of diluted blood samples) (p<0.05). The upper tertile group of athletes demonstrated higher levels of plasma viscosity, explained by higher total globulins (p<0.01), and higher vWf levels (p<0.01) than controls, and a lower W170 compared to athletes from the lower tertile subgroup. In the entire group of athletes, log (vWf) was positively correlated to plasma viscosity (r=0.478, p=0.007), total serum globulins (r=0.430, p=0.018), erythrocyte aggregability index (r=0.427, p=0.019), and negatively to log (W170 ) (r=−0.449, p=0.013). Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that plasma viscosity was the primary correlate of vWf. These data shown that the higher von Willebrand level reflecting strong activation of endothelial cells in a part of athletes was closely correlated with increased plasma viscosity levels. We suggest that these hemorheological and endothelial disturbances in these athletes might be a result of exercise overloads. Show more

Keywords: von Willebrand factor, endothelium, hemorheology, fitness, sport

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 19-24, 2003

Authors: Miao, Ge

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide a scientific basis for a unified standard of the reference value of old people's hematocrit in China. The reference values of healthy old people's hematocrit have been collected according to the Wintrobe methods; the relationship between the reference values of old people's hematocrit and altitude has been tested in this paper. It has been found that the reference value of old people's hematocrit increases when the altitude gradually increases, and such relationship is quite significant. The method of mathematical univariate regression analysis is used to deduce two regression equations: $\widehat{Y}$ 1 …=44.1+0.00351x±4.5, $\widehat{Y}$ 2 =39.5+0.00298x±4.1. If the altitude value of a particular area of China is known, the reference value of old people's hematocrit there can be calculated by means of the regression equations. Furthermore, depending on the altitude, China can be divided into three districts: Qingzang District, Central District and Eastern District. Show more

Keywords: Hematocrit, reference value, altitude, regression analysis

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 25-31, 2003

Authors: Reinhart, W.H. | Felix, Ch.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The intravenous anaesthetic propofol has been associated with cardiovascular side effects. We therefore studied its influence on blood viscosity, erythrocytes and platelet aggregation. Blood from healthy volunteers was incubated with propofol concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 200, and 500 μg/ml plasma. Whole blood viscosity (shear rates 94.5 and 0.1 s−1 ), plasma viscosity, erythrocyte morphology and platelet aggregation (PFA‐100TM system) were determined. These parameters were also measured in vivo in 9 patients prior to anaesthesia, after induction, before the end and 1 h after the end of propofol anaesthesia. Propofol induced a slight, dose‐dependent echinocytic shape …transformation of erythrocytes in vitro, indicating a preferential intercalation of the drug in the outer hemileaflet of the membrane. Neither whole blood nor plasma viscosity were affected in vitro. In vivo, no change in erythrocytes shape was seen, but plasma and whole blood viscosity at high shear rate (94.5 s−1 ) were decreased at the end of anaesthesia, which may be due to some extent to plasma dilution. Platelet aggregation with epinephrine was decreased both in vitro and in vivo. We conclude that propofol interacts with the erythrocyte membrane without affecting blood and plasma viscosity and decreases platelet aggregation, which may have clinical implications. Show more

Keywords: Blood viscosity, erythrocytes, platelet aggregation, propofol

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 33-40, 2003

Authors: Santos, Tiago | Mesquita, Rui | Martins e Silva, João | Saldanha, Carlota

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Purpose of the study: To determine the effects of choline on red blood cell membrane properties and NO metabolism. Material and methods: Aliquots of venous blood from eleven healthy subjects were incubated in vitro with choline concentrations 10−10 to 10−3 M. The following parameters were determined: erythrocyte deformability, aggregation and membrane lipid fluidity, plasma K+ , Na+ , Ca2+ , total blood haemoglobin and methemoglobin concentrations. Additionally, plasma and intra‐erythrocyte nitrites concentrations were measured. Results: Choline increases erythrocyte deformability at lower shear stresses, decreases erythrocyte aggregation, increases membrane lipid fluidity, and decreases of Na+ plasma …concentrations. We also find an increase of nitrites concentration both in the plasma and in the intra‐erythrocyte compartment. Conclusion: Choline induces changes on erythrocyte membrane properties, Na+ plasma concentration, and NO metabolites concentrations. Show more

Keywords: Choline, hemorheology, NO, nitrites

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 41-51, 2003

Authors: Jung, F. | Matschke, K. | Mrowietz, C. | Tugtekin, S.M. | Geissler, T. | Keller, S. | Spitzer, S.G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: It was tested whether a bolus injection of 10 ml radiographic contrast medium (iopromide vs. iohexol), compared to a 10 ml NaCl bolus and administered into the left anterior descending artery (LAD) of farm pigs, influenced the tissue pO2 in the territory of this artery. The radiographic contrast media and the NaCl bolus were given in randomised order. The mean pO2 LAD fell from initially 40.3±10.9 mmHg to a minimal value of 22.5±8.9 mmHg 241±44 sec after injecting the iopromide bolus, with this result representing a mean decrease of 44.2% (p=0.0003). The initial pO2 (baseline) was reached …again after approximately 10 minutes. The mean pO2 LAD fell from the initial value of 34.5±14.6 mmHg to a minimal value of 29.4±13.9 mmHg 171.7±11.9 sec after injection of the iohexol bolus, with this result representing a mean decrease of 14.8% (p=0.0003). The baseline pO2 was reached again after approx. 5 minutes. The drop in the pO2 after iopromide administration was significantly larger than that after iohexol (p=0.0001), and also the time after which the baseline pO2 is reached again was considerably shorter for iohexol (p=0.001). The two radiographic contrast media did not influence the tissue pO2 in either the territory of the right coronary artery or in skeletal muscle. Injection of a NaCl bolus into the LAD influenced neither the tissue pO2 of the territory of the LAD nor that of the RCA or of the skeletal muscle. The tissue temperature, heart rate and the systolic and diastolic blood pressure were not affected during the three injections. Injection of radiographic contrast media into a coronary artery can lead to a distinct, local microcirculatory impairment in the myocardial territory supplied by this artery. In this case, the extent of the microcirculation impairment seems to depend not only on the viscosity of the contrast media but rather also on its chemotoxicity. Show more

Keywords: Radiographic contrast media, microcirculation, myocardium, tissue pO$_{2}$, iopromide, iohexol

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 53-61, 2003