Characteristics of blood rheological parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Aim - to evaluate macro-and microrheology hemorheological characteristics parameters in patients with COPD, and their dependence on the severity of COPD. Materials and methods. The study included 107 people, 80 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease I, II, III, IV degree and 27 persons as a control group. Rheological examination included determination of the viscosity of whole blood and erythrocyte suspensions with a hematocrit (HT) 40 % in plasma and non-aggregating environment, the plasma viscosity. Measuring the effectiveness of oxygen delivery to tissues produced by the formula: TO2 = Ht/η, where η - viscosity of blood. The degree of erythrocyte aggregation was evaluated by microscopy with video recording of diluted blood, and computer image analysis. Indices of rigidity of the red blood cells were calculated, indicators of internal viscosity of red blood cell content and efficiency of transport of oxygen to the tissues. Results. In patients with COPD were identified expressed disturbances of macro-and microrheology of blood parameters were identified. Blood viscosity at all shear stresses were increased by 23-27% compared with the control group, plasma viscosity - 21.5 % (p < 0.001). Indicators of hemoglobin and hematocrit (by 9.7 % and 8.8 % respectively, p < 0,001) were Significantly higher in patients with COPD. The viscosity of erythrocyte suspension to a standard hematocrit of 40 % in saline and in autologous plasma at different shear stresses were increased by 19,5-25,3 % (p < 0,001) and 22-24 % (p < 0,001), respectively. Revealed significant changes in properties of the blood stream, which in turn led to a marked reduction in oxygen-function of the blood in 27.5 % (p < 0.001). Conclusions. In patients with COPD, there are marked disturbances of macro-and microrheology of blood parameters, the viscosity of whole blood and plasma increases greatly, red blood cell deformability is reduced, and changing of the properties of the blood stream leads to decrease in its oxygenfunction. However, with increasing severity of COPD, there is no corresponding worsening of blood rheology.