Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation - Volume 52, issue 1

Authors: You, Yun | Zhang, Yi | Yang, Hongjun | Liao, Fulong

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2012-1537

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 1-4, 2012

Authors: Arbel, Yaron | Rind, Efrat | Banai, Shmuel | Halkin, Amir | Berliner, Shlomo | Herz, Itzhak | Mashav, Noa | Thurm, Tamar | Keren, Gad | Finkelstein, Ariel

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: One out of 5 patients undergoing coronary angiography has angiographically normal coronary arteries (ANCA). Some of them have abnormally slow coronary flow (SCF). The prevalence and causes of SCF in these patients are not clear. Methods: We studied 114 consecutive patients with ANCA. Each angiogram was independently evaluated by 2 physicians unaware of all other clinical features of the case. Coronary flow (CF) was graded using the corrected TIMI Frame Count (cTFC) and Coronary Clearance Frame Count (CCFC) methodologies. SCF was defined as a cTFC exceeding the reported normal (mean cTFC + 2 SD) in each of the three …major coronary arteries. The association between SCF and various clinical, inflammatory, and metabolic variables was tested using a multivariable analysis model. Results: Thirty-nine (34%) patients had SCF. Inter-individual CF varied substantially among them (range 10–143 frames/sec, mean: 37 ± 22 frames/sec). The intra-individual CF did not vary: CF correlated well in the three major epicardial coronary arteries of a given individual (r = 0.7, p = 0.0001). Multivariable analysis revealed that current smoking was the most significant variable related to SCF (odds ratio = 4.7, p = 0.006, CI 95% 1.6–13.3). The SCF group included significantly more smokers (41% versus 15%, p = 0.002). Conclusions: SCF is a common finding (34%) among patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries. In these patients, slow flow is a systemic phenomenon that involves all three coronary arteries rather than a local event and is associated with current smoking. Show more

Keywords: Slow flow, smoking, TIMI frame count, coronary microcirculation

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2012-1538

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 5-14, 2012

Authors: Waltz, Xavier | Hedreville, Mona | Sinnapah, Stéphane | Lamarre, Yann | Soter, Valérie | Lemonne, Nathalie | Etienne-Julan, Maryse | Beltan, Eric | Chalabi, Tawfik | Chout, Roger | Hue, Olivier | Mougenel, Danièle | Hardy-Dessources, Marie-Dominique | Connes, Philippe

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Because of the metabolic changes induced by a physical activity, the hemorheological properties of patients with sickle cell anemia could be further impaired and increase the risks for vaso-occlusive complications. However, few studies suggest that moderate physical activity could be beneficial rather than harmful in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). However, the definition of what can be considered as a moderate physical activity in SCA patients is imprecise. The present study tested the effects of a short incremental cycling exercise test conducted until the first ventilatory threshold on different biomarkers. Hematological and hemorheological parameters were compared between 8 patients …with SCA and 13 healthy subjects (CONT) before, immediately after the end of the exercise and at 12, 36 and 60 hours after the exercise. We observed no significant hematological or hemorheological alteration induced by the exercise in the two groups. However, the exercise resulted in a delayed improvement of the red blood cell disaggregation threshold at 36 and 60 hrs after exercise in the SCA group which was paralleled to the decrease in the platelet count in this group. The present study suggests that such an exercise might be beneficial for microcirculatory blood flow. Show more

Keywords: Physical activity, red blood cell aggregation, red blood cell deformability, sickle cell disease

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2012-1540

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 15-26, 2012

Authors: Henkelman, Sandra | Rakhorst, Gerhard | van der Mei, Henny C. | Busscher, Henk J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Aggregation of human red blood cells (RBC) remains of biological and clinical interest. Replacement of plasma proteins by polymers to induce RBC aggregation may help to unravel the fundamentals of the aggregation process. Two theories exist to explain RBC aggregation mechanisms: a depletion and a bridging theory. RBC aggregation induced by hydroxyethyl starch (HES) increases with polymer size, which suggests that aggregation is induced via the bridging theory. In this study, the electrophoretic mobility (EPM) was measured to investigate RBC aggregation induced by 200 kDa HES polymers. Also, we evaluated if these polymers were useful for demonstrating aggregation differences between …RBCs from healthy and type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) subjects. Our results demonstrate that EPM values of RBCs in 200 kDa HES solutions were less negative than could be predicted by the viscosity of the suspension, supporting the bridging theory. Furthermore, aggregation analysis using the LORCA demonstrated that 200 kDa HES solution enhanced RBC aggregation of healthy and diabetic subjects similarly as standard 500 kDa dextran solutions. In conclusion: our data supports the bridging mechanism underlying 200 kDa HES induced RBC aggregation. In addition, both polymers are useful for demonstrating cellular induced aggregation differences between RBCs from healthy and T1DM subjects. Show more

Keywords: Red blood cell aggregation, bridging theory, depletion theory, type-1 diabetes mellitus, hydroxyethyl starch

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2012-1542

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 27-35, 2012

Authors: Sheng, You-Ming | Xiu, Rui-Juan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Dynamic tracking of microvascular and microlymphatic vasomotion presents a critical image processing technique in the evaluation of function and dysfunction of the microvasculature. Many methods for determination of diameter changes have been reported. Previous methods which were specifically developed for vasomotion tracking of intravital, fluorescence-free, rapidly constricting microvascular and microlymphatic vessels have various limitations due to complex image background, vessel wall distortion, image drift, noise and other artifacts. In order to overcome these major obstacles and remove undesirable limitations, this study proposed a tracking strategy based on feature matching of moving object—VasTrack. First, we calculate the image drift vector by …feature template matching of a landmark in the background. Second, dynamically regulate the position of a sample line in accordance with the drift vector for sustaining the consistency of measurement location. Third, dynamically recognize and track edge position changes by applying feature template matching using edge context. This method does not require special preprocessing of video image registration and rotation. VasTrack compensates efficiently for image drift and vessel wall distortion, can simultaneously track and determine vessel diameters at any orientation and in multiple locations. Testing proved that VasTrack is robust and accurate, and will satisfy the needs of basic microcirculatory research and clinical inspection. Show more

Keywords: Microcirculation, microvascular vessel, microlymphatic vessel, vasomotion, image processing

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2012-1543

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 37-48, 2012

Authors: Vayá, Amparo | Rivera, Leonor | Hernández-Mijares, Antonio | de la Fuente, Miguel | Solá, Eva | Romagnoli, Marco | Alis, R. | Laiz, Begoña

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The association between morbid obesity and hyperhomocysteinemia (HH) remains controversial and the nature of this relationship needs to be clarified as several metabolic, lipidic, inflammatory and anthropometric alterations that accompany morbid obesity may be involved. In 66 morbidly obese patients, 47 women and 19 men aged 41 ± 12 years and 66 normo-weight subjects, 43 women and 23 men, aged 45 ± 11 years, we determined homocysteine (Hcy) levels along with lipidic, anthropometric, inflammatory and insulin resistance markers. In addition, we investigated the effect of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) and its components on Hcy levels. Obese patients had statistically higher Hcy …levels than controls: 12.76 ± 5.30 μM vs. 10.67 ± 2.50 μM; p = 0.006. Moreover, morbidly obese subjects showed higher waist circumference, glucose, insulin, HOMA, leptin, triglycerides, fibrinogen, C reactive protein (CRP) (p < 0.001, respectively), and lower vitamin B12 (p = 0.002), folic acid and HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001, respectively). In the multivariate regression analysis, waist circumference, glucose, leptin and folic acid levels were independent predictors for Hcy values (p < 0.050). When obese patients were classified as having MS or not, no differences in Hcy levels were found between the two groups (p = 0.752). Yet when we analysed separately each MS component, only abdominal obesity was associated with Hcy levels (p = 0.031). Moreover when considering glucose >110 mg/dL (NCEP-ATPIII criteria) instead of glucose intolerance >100 mg/dl (updated ATPIII criteria), it also was associated with HH (p = 0.042). These results were confirmed in the logistic regression analysis where abdominal obesity and glucose >115 mg/dL constitute independent predictors for HH (OR = 3.2; CI: 1.23–13.2; p = 0.032, OR: 4.6; CI: 1.7–22.2; p = 0.016, respectively). The results of our study indicate that increased Hcy levels are related mostly with abdominal obesity and with insulin resistance. Thus, HH may raise atherothrombotic and thromboembolic risk in these patients. Show more

Keywords: Homocysteine, morbid obesity, waist circumference, insulin resistance

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2012-1544

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 49-56, 2012

Authors: Adams, Rachel A. | Higgins, Tim | Potter, Stephen | Evans, Shelley-Ann

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world. Large epidemiological studies have reported a strong association between increases in haematological factors and increased cardiovascular risk. Haematological risk factors predicted cardiovascular disease at least as strongly as traditional risk factors such as blood lipid concentrations. Lifestyle factors such as physical activity level could significantly reduce risk. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of physical activity level on haematological predictors of cardiovascular risk. Healthy subjects (156) were recruited. Physical activity in subjects was assessed by IPAQ physical activity questionnaire. Blood was collected …and blood cell counts were determined by automated cell counter; neutrophil elastase was determined by ELISA. Increased levels of physical activity were associated with reduced red cell (p = 0.001), white cell (p = 0.002) and platelet counts (p = 0.001) and with reduced plasma neutrophil elastase concentration (p = 0.001). There was a continuous linear relationship between increase in physical activity and decrease in haematological risk factors. Hence, the authors conclude that increased levels of physical activity improve the flow properties of blood and thus reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Even small increases in activity result in some reduction in cardiovascular risk. Show more

Keywords: Physical activity, cardiovascular disease, haematology

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2012-1566

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 57-65, 2012