Background: Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is not only an important risk factor of cerebrovascular events but it can also indicate generalized atherosclerosis. Hemorheological parameters are altered in CAS and in chronic cerebrovascular disorders as well, but it is controversial if hemorheological parameters could be markers of stenosis or atherosclerosis.
Methods: 107 patients were investigated, 40% of them had stroke or TIA in case history and 48% had CAS. Routine lab parameters were determined and hemorheological variables were measured: hematocrit, plasma viscosity, whole blood viscosity, red blood cell aggregation, and deformability.
Results: In the stenotic group whole blood viscosity and red blood cell aggregation were deteriorated (p < 0.05). Whole blood and plasma viscosity were higher and red blood cell deformability was lower in the symptomatic group (p < 0.05). Plasma viscosity and red blood cell deformability were altered in the evolving atherosclerosis group and the CAS groups compared to patients having no signs of stenosis (p < 0.05), but there was no difference among the CAS groups.
Conclusion: Although hemorheological parameters are impaired both in CAS and chronic cerebrovascular disorders, the severity of stenosis cannot be detected based on hemorheological parameters. Our investigation suggests that alteration of hemorheological parameters could indicate carotid atherosclerosis.
Keywords: Carotid artery stenosis; hematocrit; red blood cell aggregation; red blood cell deformability; viscosity.