Hemorheological disturbances in cerebrovascular diseases.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible relationship of the hemorheological disturbances with the clinical symptoms and some risk factors (RF) for cerebrovascular diseases (CVD). The study included 68 patients with CVD, 29 with transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and 39 with chronic unilateral cerebral infarctions (UCI) and 47 healthy control subjects. A questionnaire for RF for CVD was filled. Hemorheological variables: leucocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, fibrinogen (Fib), plasma (PV) and whole blood viscosity (WBV) at different shear rates by Couette rotational viscometer Contraves Low Shear 30 were investigated and the hemorheological indices of erythrocyte aggregation (IEA), erythrocyte deformability (IED) and of oxygen transport to tissues (TO(2)) were calculated. The arterial hypertension was the most frequent RF in the examined patients'. The hemorheological investigation showed significant increase of Fib in the patients with TIA and of PV and WBV in both patients' groups. The comparative study of the hemorheological variables with the RF for CVD showed predominating significant correlations with blood pressure (systolic, diastolic and mean) values, with age, cholesterol, physical activity and the body mass index. Our study confirms the possibility the hemorheological variables to be accepted as RF for development of stroke and for its recurrences.