Haemorheological changes and fibrinolytic activity in adult asthmatic patients with sickle cell trait (HbAS)

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Famodu, A.A.

Affiliations: Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria Fax: 234 52 600577

Abstract: Haemorheological parameters and euglobulin lysis time (ELT) were assessed in eighty‐one adult asthmatic patients, 27 in stable state (19 with genotype AA and 8 heterozygous AS), 27 during attack (13 homozygous AA and 13 heterozygous AS) and 27 normal healthy individuals as control group (16 homozygous AA and 11 heterozygous AS). Packed cell volume (PCV), plasma fibrinogen concentration (PFC) and plasma viscosity (PV) were significantly higher in asthmatic patients during attack and stable state (p<0.001), respectively, than controls. ELT was higher in controls (p<0.001) than in asthmatic patients during attack. Asthmatic patients during attack have higher PCV, PV, PFC and ELT (p<0.001), respectively, than patients in stable state. The female have significantly higher PCV (p<0.001) than male in the control group. Male asthmatic patients have higher PCV and PFC during attack (p<0.001). Controls with haemoglobin AA have higher PCV (p<0.001) and lower PFC (p<0.001) and ELT (p<0.001) than the control group with haemoglobin AS. Asthmatic patients in stable state have lower PFC (p<0.001) and plasma viscosity (PV) than AS. The disturbances of fibrinolysis and haemorheology may be a contributory factor in the pathology and aetiology of intermittent bronchospasm episodes during attack.

Keywords: Fibrinolytic activity, asthmatic patients, plasma viscosity, fibrinogen, homozygous AA, heterozygous AS

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 1-5, 1998