[Alteration of erythrocyte biophysical properties in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disorders]

Abstract

Several erythrocyte biophysical properties (erythrocyte deformability, erythrocyte aggregation and erythrocyte electrophoretic mobility) were investigated in patients with cerebral infarction and in individuals with risk factors of stroke (RFS population; RFSP). Blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, hematocrit, plasma fibrinogen level and yield shear stress (YSS) were also tested. In comparison with the results in a control group, erythrocyte deformability (erythrocyte length under a certain constant shear stress and erythrocyte filterability) was less in both the patient group and the group of RFSP and there is an accompanying increase of erythrocyte aggregation. Blood viscosity and fibrinogen level were higher in the patient groups. There was no correlation between erythrocyte deformability and other hemorheological parameters. Our results suggest that significant alteration of erythrocyte biophysical properties may be implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. These abnormalities are associated with some of the risk factors of stroke such as hypertension, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorders.