The distribution of whole blood viscosity, its determinants and relationship with arterial blood pressure in the community: cross-sectional analysis from the Gutenberg Health Study

Abstract

Background: Blood viscosity has a role in modulating cardiovascular homeostasis; changes in this parameter have been associated with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. However, it remains unclear whether these changes are (1) involved in the pathophysiology of disease, (2) an epiphenomenon, or (3) the expression of counterregulatory mechanisms. We report data on the normal values of blood viscosity and its association with cardiovascular risk factors, prevalent cardiovascular disease, and blood pressure in a large population-based cohort study. Methods and results: Viscosity was calculated using validated formulae and its associations were explored in 15,010 participants (mean 55.0, min–max: 35–74 years old; 49.5% women) from the Gutenberg Health Study as well as in a subgroup of 3223 subjects (61.1% women, mean age 49.2, min–max 35–74 years old) without risk factors or self-reported cardiovascular disease. Age- and gender-adjusted mean values for viscosity were defined. Regression models showed a relationship between classical risk factors and blood viscosity measures; the overall R2 of the multiple linear regression model was however as low as 0.067 and 0.049 for high and low shear stress viscosity, respectively. After correction for cardiovascular risk factors, there was a very mild association between viscosity and prevalent coronary artery disease and heart failure. Systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressure increased with increasing blood viscosity after correction for age and gender. Conclusions: We provide reference values for viscosity in a population-based cohort. Blood viscosity decreases in older subjects and shows a very mild association with cardiovascular risk factors and prevalent disease in our cohort. There is a linear positive association between viscosity and blood pressure.

Validated formulae for estimation of whole blood viscosity underestimate the influence of erythrocyte aggregation and deformability

“…Premenopausal women had significantly lower hematocrit (45.8 ± 2.7% versus 40.0 ± 2.4%, p < 0.001) and higher erythrocyte deformability (erythrocyte rigidity index: 3.1 ± 0.1 versus 2.8 ± 0.1, p < 0.001) than agematched males, reflecting monthly physiologic bleeding and erythrocyte renewal [Kameneva et al 1999]. We agree with the findings reported by Gori and colleagues and believe that these findings were explained by the significantly larger difference of hematocrit between genders as opposed to differences in erythrocyte deformability [Gori et al 2015]. Also consistent with previous findings [Smith et al 1992], the authors reported significant positive associations between WBV and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial blood pressure (p < 0.0001 for all).…”

Blood Pressure and Haematological Indices in Twelve Communities in Ashanti, Ghana

“…In summary, our data support those of Gori et al [ 5 ] but do not support either a U-shaped curve [ 31 ] or an inverse relationship between blood pressure and haematocrit [ 6 ].…”

Plasmapheresis for hypertriglyceridemia: The association between blood viscosity and triglyceride clearance rate

“…Regardless of molecular size, plasma exchange removed substance with high protein‐binding affinity and provided more efficient removal of substance. However, it required plasma supplement and had risk of allergic reaction and transfusion‐related infection . DFPP removed substance selectively according to molecular weight without need for plasma supplement .…”

“…Total protein was measured by biuret reference method. WBV was estimated in centipoises (cP) at high shear rate (208 s −1 ) according to following equation as previous study: WBV = 0.12 × Hct + 0.17 × (total protein −2.07). The removal rate of triglyceride was calculated using the following formula: (pre‐apheresis TG － post‐apheresis TG)/pre‐apheresis TG.…”