Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation - Volume 64, issue 2

Authors: Pichon, Aurélien P. | Connes, Philippe | Robach, Paul

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of manipulating hematocrit by different methods (acute exercise, training or isovolumic hemodilution) on blood viscosity in high-level aerobic endurance athletes. We hypothesized than increasing hematocrit does not always cause a rise in blood viscosity. Sixteen endurance athletes underwent maximal exercise before and after 4 weeks of training with (LHTL; n  = 10) or without (placebo; n  = 6) Live High-Train Low modalities. Total hemoglobin mass was measured before and after training by a carbon monoxide rebreathing technique. After training, subjects performed two maximal exercise bouts separated by isovolumic hemodilution (phlebotomy …and/or plasma volume expander) to readjust red blood cell volume and plasma volume to baseline values. Blood samples were obtained before and after exercise to assess hematocrit and blood and plasma viscosity. Training session (LHTL and placebo) increased hematocrit (Hct) in all subjects but without any significant change in blood viscosity. The decrease in plasma viscosity in all groups may explain this result. Isovolumic hemodilution caused a drop of Hct without any significant change in blood viscosity at rest. Maximal exercise increased Hct, blood and plasma viscosities in both groups, regardless of isovolumic hemodilution. However, peak hemorheological values after exercise were lower after isovolumic hemodilution. In conclusion, while acute increase in Hct during exercise caused an increase of blood viscosity, the chronic increase of Hct induced by training session did not result in a rise in blood viscosity. The lowering of plasma viscosity during training may compensate for the increase of Hct, hence limiting its impact on blood viscosity. Show more

Keywords: Blood viscosity, hematocrit, live high-train low, exercise, isovolumic hemodilution

DOI: 10.3233/CH-162050

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 115-123, 2016

Authors: Radosinska, J. | Mezesova, L. | Okruhlicova, L. | Frimmel, K. | Breierova, E. | Bartekova, M. | Vrbjar, N.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Measurements of red blood cell (RBC) deformability together with estimation of NO-synthase activity and Na,K-ATPase activity were used for characterization of RBC functionality in rats subjected to single dose of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS) at a dose of 1 mg/kg. We hypothesized that LPS might initiate a malfunction of RBC. We also investigated the potential effect of carotenoids (10 mg/kg/day) produced in red yeast biomass of Rhodotorula glutinis on RBC in LPS-challenged rats. LPS significantly reduced the deformability of RBC (by 14%) together with decrease of NO-synthase activity by 20%. Daily supplementation of carotenoids for 10 days attenuated the LPS-induced injury, as …observed by 22% increase of RBC deformability and 23% increase of NO-synthase activity. The activity of Na,K-ATPase was also improved probably due to increased number of active enzyme molecules as indicated by 66% enhancement of Vmax value, hence maintaining the activity of erythrocyte Na,K-ATPase to the level even higher as compared with healthy control animals. It may be concluded that administration of yeast biomass with high content of carotenoids resulted in advanced function of erythrocytes as concerns their ability to squeeze through narrow capillaries of the circulation, better intrinsic production of NO and improvement of intracellular homeostasis of sodium. Show more

Keywords: Erythrocyte deformability, nitric oxide synthase, sodium pump, lipopolysaccharide, yeast carotenoids

DOI: 10.3233/CH-162051

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 125-134, 2016

Authors: Meinel, Felix G. | Haack, Mareike | Weidenhagen, Rolf | Hellbach, Katharina | Rottenkolber, Marietta | Armbruster, Marco | Jerkku, Thomas | Thierfelder, Kolja M. | Plum, Jessica L.V. | Koeppel, Thomas A. | Rubin, Geoffrey D. | Sommer, Wieland H.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE : To evaluate changes in aortoiliac volume after endovascular repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in patients with and without endoleaks. MATERIALS AND METHODS : We retrospectively analyzed 137 patients who underwent EVAR for AAA. We manually measured the aortoiliac volume on pre-procedural baseline CT angiograms (CTAs) and post-procedural follow-up CTAs. All post-procedural CTAs were evaluated for the presence of endoleaks. Follow-up examinations were grouped into five time points relative to the date of the EVAR procedure and mean aortoiliac volume changes from the baseline were calculated. RESULTS : In 51 patients (37.2%), endoleaks were detected …during follow-up. In patients without any endoleaks, mean aortoiliac volume decreased by 21.1% from the pre-interventional baseline examination to the last follow-up examination. In patients with any endoleak during follow-up aortoiliac volume increased by 12.2% and in patients with only transient, post-procedural endoleaks (n  = 18), aortoiliac volume decreased by 13.4% over the same time period. CONCLUSION : After EVAR for AAA, aortoiliac volume on CT angiography decreases by approximately 20% over time in the absence of endoleaks and increases in the presence of endoleaks. Transient post-procedural endoleaks, however, do not influence long-term volume regression. Show more

Keywords: Endovascular repair, abdominal aortic aneurysm, computed tomography angiography, volumetric analysis, endoleaks

DOI: 10.3233/CH-162052

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 135-147, 2016

Authors: Wei, Ting-Ting | Tang, Qing-Qin | Qin, Bao-Dong | Ma, Ning | Wang, Li-Li | Zhou, Lin | Zhong, Ren-Qian

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Red blood cell distribution width (RDW), a routinely tested parameter of the complete blood count (CBC), has been reported to be increased in various cancers and correlated with the patients’ clinical characteristics. However, the significance of RDW in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (pHCC) is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between RDW and the clinical characteristics of pHCC patients. METHODS: Medical records of 110 treatment-naive pHCC patients were retrospectively reviewed. Their clinical characteristics on admission, including RDW, liver function tests and tumor stage, were extracted, and their relationships were analyzed using …Spearman correlation and Kruskal-Wallis test. Sixty-eight healthy individuals were set as controls. RESULTS: RDW was significantly increased in pHCC patients and correlated with the liver function tests. However, no correlation between RDW and tumor stage was found. CONCLUSION: RDW may be used to assess the liver function, but not the tumor stage in pHCC patients. Show more

Keywords: Red blood cell distribution width, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver function, Child-Pugh stage

DOI: 10.3233/CH-162053

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 149-155, 2016

Authors: Alet, Analía I. | Basso, Sabrina S. | Castellini, Horacio V. | Delannoy, Marcela | Alet, Nicolás | D’Arrigo, Mabel | Riquelme, Bibiana D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Drugs used during anesthesia might induce disturbance on microcirculation due to their systemic cardiovascular actions and to direct hemorheological effects. A comparative investigation of the hemorheological alterations related to in vitro propofol treatment of red blood cells (RBCs) from healthy and diabetic volunteers is presented here. Viscoelasticity and aggregation of RBCs from type 2 diabetic patients (DBT) and healthy donors (HD) were studied from RBCs incubated with propofol near steady-state concentration. ‘S parameter’, which measures the aggregation degree, was obtained using digital analysis of microscopic images. Erythrocyte viscoelasticity parameters were determined using an Erythrocyte Rheometer. Results obtained from DBT …samples showed an increase of 10% or more in aggregation due to the propofol action. The phase shift between erythrocyte response and oscillating shear stress applied at 1 Hz was altered by propofol treatment of erythrocyte from HD and DBT. Propofol could produce slight alterations in the rheological behavior of erythrocyte from HD and DBT, at concentrations near those of steady state. Moreover, this anesthetic could induce an adverse effect in DBT, particularly on erythrocyte aggregation. The observed hemorheologic alteration would increase the possibility of microcapillary obstruction. Hence, this type of study [0] would prove relevant to avoid possible postoperative complications. Show more

Keywords: Propofol, erythrocyte viscoelasticity, erythrocyte aggregation, diabetes, anesthesia

DOI: 10.3233/CH-162054

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 157-165, 2016

Authors: Bagno, Andrea | Martini, Romeo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This work elucidates the mechanisms of skin microcirculation response to local heating at 44°C in vasculopathic patients. Laser Doppler and tcpO2 were simultaneously acquired. Patients were selected on the basis of tcpO2 : Group A <30 mmHg; Group B 30–50 mmHg; Group C >50 mmHg. The wavelet analysis of signal oscillations displays six frequency intervals. Each interval is assigned to a specific cardiovascular activity. The contributions of cardiac, myogenic and neurogenic activities were selectively detected. Thermal stimulation increased relative amplitude in all patients: heart activity by +103.26% in A, +162.84% in B, +454.54% in C; myogenic activity by +52.45% in A, +38.51% in B, …+156.19% in C; neurogenic activity +43.36% in A, +74.15% in B, +242.42% in C. Thermal stimulation increased relative power in all patients: heart activity by +365.30% in A, +473.72% in B, +1393.77% in C; myogenic activity by +106.92% in A, +66.03% in B, +380.18% in C; neurogenic activity by +77.00% in A, +162.65% in B, +771.93% in C. This work demonstrates that the spectral analysis allows extracting from Laser Doppler signals more information than that can be gained by solely investigating perfusion values over time. Show more

Keywords: Microcirculation, wavelet transform, local heating

DOI: 10.3233/CH-162055

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 167-175, 2016

Authors: Yue, Wen-Wen | Wang, Shuo | Xu, Hui-Xiong | Sun, Li-Ping | Guo, Le-Hang | Bo, Xiao-Wan | Li, Xiao-Long | Zhao, Chong-Ke | Wang, Dan | Liu, Bo-Ji

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of parametric imaging with contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) for differentiating hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) from metastatic liver cancer(MLC). METHODS: 30 HCCs (mean diameter, 3.6±1.3 cm; range, 2.1–5.0 cm) and 30 MLCs (mean diameter, 2.8±1.5 cm; range, 1.2–5.0 cm) pathologically diagnosed or confirmed by clinical criteria that underwent CEUS were randomly included. CEUS was carried out using a multifrequency transducer (2–4 MHz) and a bolus injection of 2.4 mL SonoVue. The CEUS clips of the targeted lesion were recorded continuously for 6 minutes. By analyzing CEUS clips, parametric image could be obtained using the SonoLiver® software automatically. Quantitative parameters were compared …between HCC and MLC groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was further performed on parameters with significant difference between two groups. RESULTS: On parametric imaging, the maximum intensity, rise time, time to peak, mean transit time and washout time for HCC and MLC were 185.6±148.0 vs. 95.2±58.6 (P  = 0.003), 25.7±6.3 s vs. 23.8±8.8 s (P  = 0.341), 30.7±7.9 s vs. 27.8±10.5 s (P  = 0.246), 90.2±45.7 s vs. 89.3±40.3 s (P  = 0.805), 63.4±29.5 s vs. 37.2±33.8 s (P  = 0.005), respectively. ROC analysis was further performed for washout time and it showed a cut-off point of 43.765 s for the differentiation between HCC and MLC, with the AUC value of 0.780 (95% CI: 0.646–0.914). The corresponding diagnostic specificity, sensitivity and accuracy were 72.0%, 84.6% and 78.4% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Parametric imaging of CEUS can display perfusion effects of HCC and MLC objectively and visually and washout time may serve as a useful parameter on the differential diagnosis between HCC and MLC. Show more

Keywords: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound, hepatocellular carcinoma, metastatic liver cancer, parametric imaging, perfusion parameter

DOI: 10.3233/CH-162060

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 177-188, 2016

Authors: Simmonds, Michael J. | Sabapathy, Surendran | Serre, Kevin R. | Haseler, Luke J. | Gass, Gregory C. | Marshall-Gradisnik, Sonya M. | Minahan, Clare L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of regular treadmill walking on plasma factors that increase low-shear blood viscosity and red blood cell aggregation in older women with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Eighteen women with type 2 diabetes (age: 69±3 yr; body mass index: 30.5±5.0 kg⋅m–2 ) performed 12-wk of 120 min⋅wk–1 of supervised treadmill walking at an intensity equivalent to the gas-exchange threshold. Peak exercise values, anthropometry and blood indices of diabetic status, markers of inflammation, and plasma fibrinogen were analysed during a 6-wk pre-training ‘control’ period, and then after 6 and …12-wk of regular walking. RESULTS: Regular walking significantly increased peak oxygen uptake (p  = 0.01). Body mass, waist to hip ratio, and glycaemic control did not change. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased by 8.5% (p  < 0.01) and 7.2% (p  < 0.01) respectively, cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio decreased by 9.6% (p  = 0.01), and HDL concentration significantly increased (p  = 0.01). While 12 wk of regular walking did not significantly alter plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α , or C-reactive protein, plasma fibrinogen concentration decreased by 6.9% (p  < 0.01) and plasma interleukin-10 (IL-10) concentration increased from 1.15±0.32 to 1.62±0.22 mmol⋅L–1 (p  < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Improved plasma inflammatory profile and decreased plasma fibrinogen concentration is induced by regular walking, independent of glycaemic control. These factors may mediate the improved haemorheology associated with exercise training in metabolic disorders. Show more

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, ageing, exercise training, hemorheology, inflammation

DOI: 10.3233/CH-162061

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 189-198, 2016

Authors: Bowers, Andre S. | Duncan, Walworth W. | Pepple, Dagogo J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Previous reports differ as to whether a decreased elongation index (EI), a proxy for red blood cell (RBC) deformability, is associated with leg ulcers (LU) in people with homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD). We sought to determine whether erythrocyte deformability (ED ) and haematological indices were associated with the presence of LU in patients with SCD. The study design was cross-sectional. Twenty-seven patients with LU and 23 with no history of ulceration were recruited into the study. A laser assisted rotational red cell analyzer was used in the determination of the EI. Haematological indices were determined using a CELL-DYN Ruby …haematology analyzer. Data were normally distributed and presented as means±SD. Two-sample t -test was used to test for associations between haemorheological variables in SCD patients with and without LU. Statistical significance was taken as p  < 0.05. The EI was significantly lower in the group with ulcers (0.30±0.07 vs. 0.35±0.07, p  = 0.02). Haematological indices were comparable in patients with and without LU. Erythrocyte deformability, but not haematological indices, was associated with LU in patients with SCD. Show more

Keywords: Leg ulcer (LU), red blood cell (RBC), RBC deformability (ED), elongation index (EI)

DOI: 10.3233/CH-162063

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 199-204, 2016

Authors: Sharawy, Nivin | Hussein, Ahmed | Hossny, Osama | Refaa, Amera | Saka, Ahmed | Mukhtar, Ahmed | Whynot, Sara | George, Ron | Lehmann, Christian

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Anemia in pregnant women is associated with increased maternal and perinatal mortality and represents an important economic burden in many developing countries. Our goal was to evaluate the impact of anemia on the capillary network during pregnancy. Therefore, we compared microcirculatory parameters of anemic pregnant study participants to that of non-anemic pregnant women employing sublingual microcirculation video imaging technology and novel automated video analysis software. Non-anemic (n  = 7) and anemic (n  = 44) pregnant women were enrolled in the study at second and third trimesters. Video imaging was applied to the sublingual mucosal surface in five visual fields. The resultant …videos were analyzed automatically, avoiding observer bias. Total vessel density (TVD), perfused vessel density (PVD) and proportion of perfused vessels (PPV) were calculated by the software. Both, mean TVD and PVD were significantly increased in the anemic pregnant group, while the PPV was not significantly different. Significant negative correlations were observed between haemoglobin (Hb) levels and both, TVD and PVD. Haemoglobin level seems to play an important determinant role in restructuring the capillary network. An effect that could compensate the impaired tissue oxygen delivery associated with anemia during pregnancy. Show more

Keywords: Haemoglobin, perfusion, microcirculation, anemia, pregnancy

DOI: 10.3233/CH-162064

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 205-212, 2016

Authors: Yan, Shuo | Wang, Zhiye | Li, Li | Guo, Yu | Ji, Xiaodong | Ni, Hongyan | Shen, Wen | Xia, Shuang

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSES: To compare the characteristics of DCE-MRI between metastatic and benign lymph nodes (LNs). To explore the effect of sizes of LNs on the value of Ktrans , Ve and iAUC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Metastatic and benign LNs were retrospectively analyzed. Chi-square test and two sample t -test were applied to TICs and parameters. One factor covariance analysis was used to explore the effect of diameters on the value of Ktrans , Ve and iAUC. RESULTS: The value of Ktrans , Ve and iAUC of metastatic LNs were statistically higher (all p  < 0.001) than those …of benign LNs. The short-axis diameters had no influence on parameters. CONCLUSIONS: DCE-MRI is useful to differentiate the metastatic LNs from benign LNs. Sizes of LNs has no effect on parameters. Show more

Keywords: Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, lymph node, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

DOI: 10.3233/CH-162065

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 213-222, 2016

Authors: Yao, Ming-hua | Wu, Rong | Xu, Guang | Zhao, Li-xia | Liu, Hui | Pu, Huan | Fang, Yan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Virtual touch imaging quantification (VTIQ), a form of shear wave elastography, may help in the diagnosis of breast lesions. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of combined VTIQ and conventional ultrasound (US), and assess the factors influencing VTIQ measurement. METHODS: From September 2014 to December 2014, 162 patients with breast lesions were examined by US and VTIQ to assess shear wave speed (SWS) and morphological characteristics (lesion shape, orientation, margin and echo pattern). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of VTIQ, US and VTIQ+US for the diagnosis of breast lesions was evaluated in …comparison to pathological results. Factors influencing deviations in SWS measurements were assessed by logistic regression. RESULTS: The SWS cut-off between malignant and benign lesions was 3.73 m/s. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were: 98.07%, 55.96%, and 69.57% for US; 76.92%, 78.89% and 78.26% for VTIQ; and 98.07%, 84.40% and 88.82% for US+VTIQ. The two factors that influenced the SWS results were the lesion margin (odds ratio [OR], 16.363; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.220–29.020) and vascularity (OR, 6.712; 95% CI, 1.358–9.072). CONCLUSIONS: The lesion margin and vascularity could affect the measurement of SWS as well as the experience of examiner. However, VTIQ is still a reliable method that provides valuable information in the differential diagnosis of breast lesions, and may reduce unnecessary biopsies. Show more

Keywords: Elastography, breast cancer, VTIQ, ultrasound

DOI: 10.3233/CH-16188

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 223-233, 2016

Authors: Chen, Ying-pei | Han, Ting | Wu, Rong | Yao, Ming-hua | Xu, Guang | Zhao, Li-xia | Liu, Hui | Pu, Huan | Fang, Yan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) with Virtual Touch Tissue Quantification (VTQ) or Virtual Touch Tissue Imaging Quantification (VTIQ) measures shear wave velocity (SWV), which is proportional to tissue stiffness, a diagnostic parameter for malignancy. OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of VTQ and VTIQ in diagnosing solid breast tumors. METHODS: Conventional ultrasound, VTQ and VTIQ were used to examine 246 solid breast tumors from 230 patients. Tumors were grouped according to size: <10 mm, 10–20 mm, >20 mm. Pathological diagnoses were via histological examination of biopsies. ROC curves were used to assess diagnostic performance and optimal cut-off …points for VTQ and VTIQ. RESULTS: For all sizes, SWVVTQ and SWVVTIQ were higher for malignant versus benign tumors (P  < 0.05). SWVVTQ and SWVVTIQ were both higher for tumors≥10 mm (P  < 0.05). Areas under the ROC curves (diagnostic performance index; 0.860–0.952) did not differ significantly between VTQ and VTIQ. Optimal cut-off values for SWVVTQ and SWVVTIQ were higher for tumors≥10 mm. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic performance of VTQ and VTIQ was moderate to good for solid breast tumors. Although both methods have higher sensitivities in tumors≥10 mm, their overall diagnostic performance was similar for all sizes. Show more

Keywords: Virtual Touch Tissue Quantification, Virtual Touch Tissue Imaging Quantification, shear wave velocity, breast tumor, tumor size

DOI: 10.3233/CH-16192

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 235-244, 2016

Authors: Rafailidis, Vasileios | Charitanti, Afroditi | Tegos, Thomas | Rafailidis, Dimitrios | Chryssogonidis, Ioannis

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Carotid plaque ulceration is a well-established feature of vulnerability, associated with high risk for neurological symptoms. From a pathogenetic point of view, the mechanism responsible for occurrence of symptomatology relies on the aggregation of platelets within the ulcer cavity, activation of coagulation mechanism, formation of thrombus and arterio-arterial embolization of thrombotic material in the central nervous system. Many imaging modalities including unenhanced ultrasound, computed tomographic angiography and magnetic resonance angiography have been used to image and diagnose carotid plaque ulceration with varying success. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound has been recently introduced in the study of carotid disease offering improved flow visualization and …better plaque surface delineation. We present a case where contrast-enhanced ultrasound visualized the swirling pattern of movement of the microbubbles within the ulcer cavity. These findings illustrate the underlying hemodynamic mechanism of arterio-arterial embolization and can be proposed as a new finding of plaque ulcerations on contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Show more

Keywords: Carotid, ulceration, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, microbubbles, swirling

DOI: 10.3233/CH-16200

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 245-250, 2016