Red blood cell distribution width and erythrocyte deformability in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

Increased RDW has been found to be a marker of adverse outcomes in cardiovascular disease (CVD), although the exact mechanism remains unclear.Recently, several authors have found that higher RDW is associated with decreased erythrocyte deformability, which can impair blood flow through microcirculation, a fact which may explain the increased risk for CVD events associated with elevated RDW.The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between RDW and erythrocyte deformability in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).The study group comprised 60 AMI patients and 72 gender-and age-matched controls, in whom erythrocyte deformability was determined by means of the elongation index (EI) in a Rheodyn SSD, along with haematological, biochemical and inflammatory parameters.Patients showed higher RDW (p = 0.012) and lower EI (p < 0.05) than controls. When anaemic patients were removed from the study, AMI showed still lower EI than controls (p < 0.05), but no differences in RDW were observed (p = 0.141).RDW correlated inversely with haematimetric indices (p < 0.001), but not with inflammatory and biochemical parameters (p > 0.05). EI correlated inversely with Hb, MCHC (p < 0.001) and directly with MCV (p < 0.05). EI also correlated inversely with glucose (p < 0.05) and directly with HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05). The multivariate regression model showed that only MCV and Hb were independent predictors of RDW (beta coefficients: −0.383, −0.208; p < 0.001, p = 0.050, respectively). In addition, MCV, MCHC and hyperlipidaemia were independent predictors of EI (beta coefficients: 0.366, −0.533, −0.192; p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.019 respectively).In AMI patients, increased RDW is not related with EI, so this mechanism does not seem to be responsible for an increased CDV risk in these patients.

Red cell distribution width as a significant indicator of medication and prognosis in type 2 diabetic patients

“…Malnutrition, including Fe deficiency and lack of vitamin B 12 and folic acid, generates elevated RDW 7 . Recent studies have demonstrated that RDW may also be an effective predictor of morbidity and mortality in various diseases such as PH 8, 9 , NAFLD 10 , CHD 11–15 , stoke 16 , atherosclerosis 17 , prevalent dementia 18 , IBD 19 , ESRD 20 and heart failure 21 . A study following 8175 adults for up to 6 years showed that the measurement of RDW may be used to predict mortality in CVD, cancer and other diseases 22 in the early stages.…”

Red cell distribution width and mortality in carotid atherosclerosis

“…The correlation between an increase in RDW and red blood cell deformability was confirmed in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and the metabolic syndrome [24,25]. However, Vaya et al [26] could not confirm these findings in patients with acute myocardial infarction.…”

Haemorheological and haemostatic alterations in coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease in comparison with non-coeliac, non-IBD subjects (HERMES): a case–control study protocol

“…Mechanisms of thrombophilia in immune-mediated disorders are complex, and acquired factors seem important 18. An altered haemorheological profile as well as the altered levels or function of pro-coagulant and anticoagulant proteins, altered activity of clotting factors contribute to the development of arterial and venous thrombotic events 19–23…”