Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation - Volume 58, issue 3

Authors: Song, Jian | Wang, Xifu | Xu, Xiaoli | Jia, Binbin | Zheng, Qinni | Ka, Weibo | Sun, Dagong | Wen, Zongyao | Xie, Lide | Yao, Weijuan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Contrast media are the commonly used agents in radiology. However, because of their characteristics of high osmolality, high viscosity, and chemical toxicity, the administrations of contrast media have been shown to cause adverse effects especially on hemorheology in short time course. The present study is to find the effects of a non-ionic contrast medium, iopromide, on the hemorheology in long time course both in vitro and in vivo. For in vitro treatment, human peripheral blood samples were incubated with contrast medium at 37°C for 0.5, 1 and 2 h. For in vivo study, about 15 ml of contrast medium was …injected into rabbits and blood samples were collected at 0.5, 2, 6, and 24 h after the bolus injection. Hemorheological parameters were examined. Results showed that hematocrit adjusted whole blood viscosity increased significantly at 1 h after in vitro treatment of contrast medium, while it decreased at 0.5 h and remained low till 6 h after bolus injection. Ektacytometer showed that erythrocyte deformability decreased to the lowest level at 2 h in vitro and it dropped at 0.5 h and resumed to normal after 2 h in vivo. Erythrocyte small deformation indices were reduced by contrast medium in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Erythrocyte orientation index was also reduced in in vivo study. Erythrocyte electrophoresis rates at all time points decreased but osmotic fragility did not change in both studies. These impaired hemorheological parameters may disturb the microcirculation and cause adverse effects in patients with kidney diseases. Show more

Keywords: Hemorheology, contrast medium, blood viscosity, erythrocyte deformability

DOI: 10.3233/CH-121669

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 385-393, 2014

Authors: Waltz, Xavier | Baillot, Michelle | Connes, Philippe | Gourdine, Jean-Luc | Philibert, Lucien | Beltan, Eric | Chalabi, Tawfik | Renaudeau, David

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The main objectives of the present work were to test the effects of heat stress on blood rheology and to determine whether the responses can change according to the pig breeds. Thirty-six pigs from three pig's lines (n = 12 for each line) with assumed different tolerance to heat stress were compared: Large White (LW, little tolerance), Creole (CR, good tolerance) and LW × CR pigs (produced from a cross between LW and CR lines). In a first period, all pigs were exposed to a 9-d period of thermo-neutral environment (24°C; d−9 to d−1; P0). At the end of P0, …six pigs from each line were slaughtered (n = 18). Then in a second period, the remaining pigs (6/breed; n = 18) were exposed to a 5−d period of heat stress (32°C; d + 1 −d + 5; P1) and thereafter slaughtered at d + 5. Rectal and skin temperatures, as well as respiratory rate, were recorded on d−1 and d + 5. At slaughter, blood was sampled for hematological and hemorheological measurements. Heat stress caused a rise of the skin temperature and respiratory rate without any changes in the rectal temperature or on the hematological and hemorheological parameters when all pigs' lines were considered. We observed a pig line effect on blood viscosity at high shear rate (375 s−1 ) and red blood cell deformability at 30 Pa with CR pigs having lower blood viscosity and higher red blood cell deformability than LW pigs. While the changes of blood viscosity under heat stress did not reach statistical significance in LW and CR lines, blood viscosity (at 375 s−1 ) increased above the temperate values in the LW × CR line. Red blood cell deformability at 30 Pa was higher in CR pigs exposed to heat stress compared to LW pigs in the same condition. In conclusion, thermal loading caused physiological stress but did not widely change the hematological and hemorheological profiles. Although some blood rheological parameters seem to vary with the pig breeds, the responses to heat stress are very similar. Show more

Keywords: Hemorheology, hot temperature, pigs, breed

DOI: 10.3233/CH-131722

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 395-402, 2014

Authors: Alkan, Fatma Ates | Cakmak, Gulfidan | Karis, Denizhan | Sağlam, Zuhal Aydan | Saler, Tayyibe | Temiz, Levent Umit | Yenigün, Mustafa | Ercan, Meltem

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Smoking is considered to be one the of risk factors effecting atherosclerosis which is associated the physical forces, biological and chemical stimuli occuring in vessel wall. The aim of this study is analysis of the biomechanical (plasma viscosity) and biochemical effect (nitric oxide, NOx ; asymmetric dimethylarginine, ADMA) of smoking on endothelial function. METHODS: One hundred-twenty two individuals were divided into three groups according to their smoking status. Plasma viscosity was measured by Harkness Capillary Viscometer. Plasma NOx level was determined by enzymatic methods using commercial kits. ADMA concentration was determined by Elisa Plasma Assay and and physiologic …spirometric and arterial gas parameters and pulmonary blood flow rate (PBFR) were measured. RESULTS: Viscosity variables of former smokers were significantly higher than those of non-smokers (p < 0.001). NOx levels were found to be statistically significantly higher when compared with current smokers and non-smokers (p < 0.001), and former smokers and non-smokers (p < 0.05). There was a higher fibrinogen levels in current smokers (p < 0.05) than smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking increases the plasma viscosity that may lead endothelial damage. Plasma viscosity plays an important role as a biophysical mechanical marker on the behalf of hemodynamics. Biochemical markers, NOx and ADMA may show this damage, however, we observed that plasma viscosity can be consistent with biochemical markers. Thus, plasma viscosity may be useful for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of the patients. Show more

Keywords: Plasma viscosity, nitric oxide, asymmetric dimethylarginine, smoking

DOI: 10.3233/CH-131796

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 403-413, 2014

Authors: Ticcinelli, Valentina | Martini, Romeo | Bagno, Andrea

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The haemodynamics of skin microcirculation can be quantitatively evaluated by Laser Doppler Fluxmetry (LDF). LDF signal in human skin shows periodic oscillations. Spectral analysis by wavelet transform displays six characteristic frequency intervals (FI) from 0.005 to 2 Hz, related to distinct vascular structures activities: heart (0.6–2 Hz), sympathetic respiratory (0.145–0.6 Hz), myogenic (0.052–0.145 Hz), local sympathetic nerve (0.021–0.052 Hz) and endothelial cells NO dependent (0.0095–0.021 Hz) and NO independent (0.005–0.0095 Hz). The most advanced stage of peripheral arterial obstructive disease is the critical limb ischemia (CLI), which causes the reduction of blood perfusion threatening limb viability. Besides macrocirculatory alterations, many …studies have shown microvascular misdistribution of skin blood flow as the main factor that leads patients to CLI. Revascularization can save limb and patient's life, too. In the present study, LDF signals have been recorded on the skin of the foot dorsum in 15 patients suffering from CLI. LDF signals have been analyzed before and after limb revascularization by means of the wavelet analysis. Significant changes in frequency distribution before and after limb revascularization have been detected: the median normalized values of spectral power increases for 49.8% (p = 0.0341) in the frequency range 0.050328–0.053707 Hz, whereas spectral power decreases for 77.1% (p = 0.0179) in the frequency range 0.018988–0.029284 Hz. We can conclude that changes in the frequency intervals occur after revascularization, shifting from a prevailing endothelial activity toward a prevailing sympathetic activity. Show more

Keywords: Laser doppler, vasomotion, critical limb ischemia, wavelet transform

DOI: 10.3233/CH-131797

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 415-428, 2014

Authors: Xu, Yong | Zhang, Sheng | Wei, Xi | Pan, Yi | Hao, Jihui

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in histologic subtype prediction of cystic renal mass. METHODS: Eighty-seven cystic renal masses were scanned by CEUS, and the CEUS findings and pathological results were recorded. The CEUS features of different histologic subtype cystic renal masses were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Among 87 renal cystic masses, 63 masses were malignant and 24 were benign. CEUS characteristics of benign and malignant cystic renal masses were significantly different. Different subtype cystic renal cell carcinoma had different CEUS imaging appearances. Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinomas (MCRCC) were more likely to be of Bosniak classification …III. Clear cell renal cell carcinomas (CCRCC) were significantly more likely to appear as a multilocular cystic pattern combined with Bosniak classification IV. Cystic papillary renal cell carcinomas (PRCC) were more likely to appear as an unilocular cystic pattern combined with Bosniak classification IV. MCRCC combined with benign cystic masses were more likely to be classified as Bosniak classification III, which was significantly different from CCRCCs and PRCCs. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS can be helpful in differentiating MCRCCs and benign cystic masses from CCRCCs and PRCCs. CEUS might be useful in histologic subtype prediction and clinical management of cystic renal mass. Show more

Keywords: Kidney neoplasms, cystic mass, ultrasonography, contrast agent

DOI: 10.3233/CH-131799

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 429-438, 2014

Authors: Humeau-Heurtier, Anne | Abraham, Pierre | Durand, Sylvain | Mahé, Guillaume

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Post-occlusive reactive hyperaemia (PORH) and vasodilation induced by acetylcholine (ACh) iontophoresis are tests of endothelial function that can be studied with laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI). LSCI has the advantage of having good temporal and spatial resolutions but can lead to a high amount of data when several minutes of recordings are needed. Parameters of PORH and ACh iontophoresis vasodilation are therefore often determined by several observers or by the same observer on different days. Nevertheless, inter- and intra-observer reproducibility for the determination of such parameters has not been studied yet. We analyzed inter-observer and intra-observer reproducibility of baseline, peak …and plateau determination for the two microvascular tests. Ten recordings of both PORH and ACh iontophoresis have been analyzed by two blinded trained observers. For peak determination, inter-observer coefficient of variation (CV) was 4.7% and 3.0% for PORH and ACh respectively. Intra-observer reproducibility expressed in CV ranges from 2.4% to 5.4% for PORH-peak and ACh-peak. CVs for peak determination are better than for baseline or plateau determination for both microvascular tests. This suggests that when microvascular vasodilations are reported, the data segments measured have to be noted. Finally microvascular tests using LSCI have an excellent intra- and inter-observer reproducibility. Show more

Keywords: Microcirculation, laser speckle contrast imaging, reproducibility, hyperaemia, acetylcholine, endothelial function

DOI: 10.3233/CH-131804

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 439-446, 2014

Authors: Mulero, J. | Manresa, N. | Zafrilla, P. | Losada, M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible visual impairment and blindness among persons aged 60 years and older and many theories exist and feature mechanisms of oxidative stress, atherosclerotic-like changes, genetic predisposition, and inflammation in development of AMD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between markers of inflammation and cardiovascular risk with age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Case-control study that includes 163 patients with wet AMD (age group of 55–82 years with the mean age of 71 years and 170 age-matched healthy controls in the age group of 55–78 years with the mean age …of 71 years. The following parameters were determined: lipidic profile (Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL-c, LDL-c), CRP (C-Reactive Protein), homocysteine and fibrinogen. RESULTS: We found significant differences between AMD patients and control group in baseline values of homocysteine, CRP and fibrinogen, although we do not observed differences in levels of lipidic profile. CONCLUSION: Our data support the role of chronic inflammation in the development of AMD, however, further studies are needed to determine which common disease mechanisms of chronic inflammation and atherosclerosis contribute to the pathogenesis of AMD. Show more

Keywords: Cardiovascular risk, age-related macular degeneration, lipidic profile, C-Reactive protein, homocysteine

DOI: 10.3233/CH-141807

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 447-453, 2014

Authors: Schneditz, Daniel | Zierler, Edda | Vanholder, Raymond | Eloot, Sunny

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: It was the aim to examine the fluid flow in blood and dialysate compartments of highly permeable hollow fiber dialyzers where internal filtration contributes to solute removal but where excessive filtration bears a risk of cell activation and damage. Flow characteristics of high- (HF) and low-flux (LF) dialyzers were studied in lab-bench experiments using whole bovine blood. Measurements obtained under different operating conditions and under zero net ultrafiltration were compared to theoretical calculations obtained from a mathematical model. Experimental resistances in the blood compartment were within ±2% of those calculated from the model when dialysate was used as a test …fluid. With whole blood, the experimental resistances in the blood compartment were only 81.8 ± 2.8% and 83.7 ± 4.3% of those calculated for the LF and HF dialyzer, respectively. Surprisingly, measured blood flow resistance slightly but significantly decreased with increasing flow rate (p < 0.001). Mathematical modeling confirmed this decrease both in LF and HF dialyzers which was accompanied by a concomitant decrease in internal filtration fraction, while overall internal filtration increased. The increase in internal filtration when increasing blood flow is associated with a beneficial reduction in internal filtration fraction. Concerns of increased hemoconcentration when increasing blood flow therefore appear to be unwarranted. Show more

Keywords: Hemodialysis, hollow fiber dialyzer, filtration, blood flow, mathematical modeling

DOI: 10.3233/CH-131802

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 455-469, 2014

Authors: Vayá, Amparo | Suescun, Marta | Pardo, Amparo | Fuster, Oscar

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/CH-141889

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 471-473, 2014

Authors: Vayá, Amparo | Collado, Susana | Alis, Rafael | Dasí, Maria-Angeles

Article Type: Other

Keywords: Sickle cell disease, erythrocyte aggregation, disaggregation

DOI: 10.3233/CH-141869

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 475-477, 2014