Plasma lipids and blood viscosity in patients with cerebrovascular disease.

It is known that plasma lipids could increase the cerebrovascular risk through alteration of the hemorheological profile. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between blood viscosity parameters and plasma lipids in patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD). The study included 43 patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), 53 patients with chronic unilateral cerebral infarctions (UCI) and 57 patients with risk factors (RF) for CVD. Whole blood viscosity (WBV) at different shear rates by Couette rotational viscometer Contraves Low Shear 30, plasma viscosity (PV) with capillary viscometer, hematocrit (Hct), fibrinogen (Fib), Cholesterol (Chol), triglycerides (Tg) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) were examined in all patients and in a control group of 56 presumed healthy subjects. The hemorheological results showed increase of Hct, Fib, WBV and PV in the patients with TIAs and UCI; it was more pronounced in the UCI patients. Significant increase of Hct and WBV in the group with RF for CVD was also found. The elevation of Chol and Tg predominated in the patients with UCI and in the subjects with RF for CVD. These lipid variables correlated significantly with PV in the TIAs and RF for CVD groups. Conclusion is drawn about the significance of plasma Tg for decrease of blood fluidity and for impairment of the cerebral circulation in CVD.