Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation - Volume 53, issue 1-2

Authors: Menu, P. | Stoltz, J.F. | Kerdjoudj, H.

Article Type: Research Article

Keywords: Vascular substitute, endothelialisation, tissue engineering

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2012-1580

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 53, no. 1-2, pp. 117-129, 2013

Authors: Vayá, Amparo | Suescun, Marta

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The role played by hemorheological alterations in the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has often been overlooked. Although marked rheological alterations and the relationship with thromboembolic events are well-defined in patients with hematological diseases such as myelom, Waldenström disease and polycythemia vera, the relationship is not so clear in patients without hematological diseases. In the present review, we analyzed studies evaluating the rheological profile in DVT patients. Among the cardiovascular risk factors, only hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, tobacco and obesity increase DVT risk and, in addition, a disturbed rheological profile is shown which could further increase this risk. The significance …of hematocrit and fibrinogen, the main factors influencing blood viscosity, is not sufficient to increase blood viscosity in any of the studies analyzed. DVT patients show increased fibrinogen levels and erythrocyte aggregation throughout all the studies despite patients not being in an acute reactant phase. In addition to rheological alterations, it is necessary to consider local conditions at pockets of venous valves which undergo deterioration with aging and play an important role equally to alterations in the rheological profile. Moreover, it is necessary to take into account that systemic rheological alterations are not comparable to those in low shear rate areas where minimum disturbances could be more relevant. It would be convenient to perform multicentric studies with the same rheological methodology and pre-analytical procedures to evaluate, in order to obviate the effect of thrombophilic and circumstantial risk factors, rheological parameters in patients with spontaneous DVT to elucidate their real contribution to the development of thromboembolic events. Show more

Keywords: Deep vein thrombosis, hemorheology, cardiovascular risk factors

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2012-1581

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 53, no. 1-2, pp. 131-141, 2013

Authors: Franke, R.P. | Jung, F.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Contrast media-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a known complication of intra-arterial application of radiographic contrast media (RCM) and is associated with both short- and long-term outcomes. The development of CIN is not easy to diagnose due to a lack of a uniform definition of CIN. CIN was reported in 4 to 20% of patients after intra-arterial RCM administration during coronary angiography. An all-cause mortality rate of CIN patients amounted to 9% compared with 2% among patients not developing CIN. Pre-existing chronic renal insufficiency, especially, was described as important factor predisposing for CIN, but there was recent clinical evidence that CIN may …occur also in low risk ambulatory patients, probably depending on the type of RCM used. Strongly depending on the type of RCM administered there were marked differences in the morphological changes of erythrocytes as well as endothelial cells coinciding in some cases with microcirculatory disorders in patients as well as in animal models. Iodixanol brought about the least cellular and microcirculatory effects while Iopromide induced the strongest disturbances in capillary perfusion and myocardial oxygen tension. It is unclear, however, whether this favours the development of CIN. Show more

Keywords: Iodixanol, Iopromide, microcirculation, blood cells, nephropathy

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2012-1582

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 53, no. 1-2, pp. 143-153, 2013

Authors: Al-Banna, N.A. | Pavlovic, D. | Gründling, M. | Zhou, J. | Kelly, M. | Whynot, S. | Hung, O. | Johnston, B. | Issekutz, T.B. | Kern, H. | Cerny, V. | Lehmann, Ch.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The main function of antibiotics is related to their capacity to eliminate a microorganism. In addition to the antimicrobial function of antibiotics, they are known to have anti-inflammatory and vasomodulatory effects on the microcirculation. The ability of non-antimicrobial derivatives of antibiotics to control inflammation illustrates the distinct anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory roles of antibiotics. In this review, we discuss the impact of antibiotics on leukocyte recruitment and the state of the microcirculation. Literature reporting the effect of antibiotics in non-infectious inflammatory conditions is reviewed as well as the studies demonstrating the anti-inflammatory effects of antibiotics in animal models of infection. In …addition, the effect of the antibiotics on the immune system is summarized in this review, in order to postulate some mechanisms of action for the proand anti-inflammatory contribution of antibiotics. Literature reported the effect of antibiotics on the production of cytokines, chemotaxis and recruitment of leukocytes, production of reactive oxygen species, process of phagocytosis and autophagy, and apoptosis of leukocytes. Yet, all antibiotics may not necessarily exert an anti-inflammatory effect on the microcirculation. Thus, we suggest a model for spectrum of anti-inflammatory and vasomodulatory effects of antibiotics in the microcirculation of animals in local and systemic inflammation. Although the literature suggests the ability of antibiotics to modulate leukocyte recruitment and microperfusion, the process and the mechanism of action are not fully characterized. Studying this process will expand the knowledge base that is required for the selection of antibiotic treatment based on its anti-inflammatory functions, which might be particularly important for critically ill patients. Show more

Keywords: Antibiotics, microcirculation, leukocyte recruitment, inflammation, immune system

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2012-1583

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 53, no. 1-2, pp. 155-169, 2013

Authors: Clevert, D.A. | D'Anastasi, M. | Jung, E.M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Ultrasound is often the first imaging modality used in the diagnosis of abdominal vascular as well as parenchymal organ pathologies. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) enables the dynamic assessment and quantification of microvascularisation up to capillary perfusion. Current clinical applications of CEUS are mainly in detection and characterization of lesions, particularly benign and malignant hepatic and renal lesions, based on differences between lesion and organ perfusion. Multifrequency high-resolution transducers are being increasingly used, including intra-operatively. Dynamic 3D techniques and ultrasound image fusion with CT or MRI may assist the diagnosis and therapy control after interventional procedures. Our own studies have demonstrated the …excellent diagnostic performance of CEUS with perfusion-analysis in the characterization of hepatic and renal lesions as well as the assessment of tissue transplant macro- and microvascularisation. CEUS opens up new possibilities in the characterization of the microvasculature with perfusion analysis, even during the course of interventions, thereby providing new possibilities for modified therapeutic strategies. In this review, the different new ultrasound techniques with their potential applications are described and illustrated. Show more

Keywords: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), microvascularisation, perfusion analysis, image fusion

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2012-1584

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 53, no. 1-2, pp. 171-186, 2013

Authors: Connes, Philippe | Simmonds, Michael J. | Brun, Jean-Frederic | Baskurt, Oguz K.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The present review focuses on the past and recent knowledge in the field of exercise hemorheology and presents some unresolved issues for opening discussion. Acute exercise is associated with a rise in hematocrit which results in an increase in blood viscosity. Whereas increased blood viscosity was previously viewed as having negative consequences for cardiovascular function and aerobic performance, recent findings suggest dynamic changes in blood viscosity might be useful for vascular function during exercise by increasing nitric oxide production. Other determinants of blood viscosity are altered by exercise (e.g., decreased red blood cell deformability, increased red blood cell aggregation and …plasma viscosity) and may, independent of the associated effect on blood viscosity, directly modulate aerobic capacity. However, the data published on the effects of exercise on the hemorheology are not consistent, with some studies showing decreased, unchanged, or increased red blood cell deformability/aggregation when compared with rest. These discrepancies seem to be related to the exercise protocol investigated, the population tested or the methodogy utilized for hemorheological measurements. Finally, this review focuses on the effects of training exercise training (i.e. chronic physical activity) on the hemorheological profile of healthy individuals and patients with cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Show more

Keywords: Exercise, training, blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, red blood cell deformability, red blood cell aggregation

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2012-1643

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 53, no. 1-2, pp. 187-199, 2013

Authors: Jung, F. | Mrowietz, C. | Gerk, U. | Franke, R.P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Radiographic contrast media (RCM) are widely used to visualize blood vessels. Their effects on blood vessels should be minimal so that the object of the measurement – the vessel lumen - is not influenced by the RCM molecules. However, all RCMs exhibit a more or less strong effect on endothelial cells as well as on erythrocytes. These effects are discussed to induce a significant and relevant deceleration of the microcirculation. For some RCMs this could be demonstrated in animal or clinical studies. Therefore, this study investigated the role of the viscosity of a RCM on the mean erythrocyte velocity in …nail fold capillaries in patients with coronary artery disease after a bolus injection of the RCM directly into the A. axillaris. Iopentol-350 is a high-viscous Xray contrast medium and induced a short-lasting imbalance of the microcirculation already in vascular regions not affected by atherosclerosis. This effect was – in the early phase after injection – significantly stronger than after application of the low viscous Iopentol-150. In patients with severe coronary artery disease and a myocardial perfusion at its limits, the injection of high-viscous X-ray contrast media could induce massive perturbations in the microcirculation and even ischemia. As a consequence a further impairment of both systolic and diastolic functions may occur. Show more

Keywords: Radiographic contrast media, Iopentol, capillary perfusion

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2012-1557

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 53, no. 1-2, pp. 201-208, 2013

Authors: Silva-Herdade, A.S. | Saldanha, C.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is found both on the membranes of neuronal and non-neuronal cells. In this study we performed intravenous administrations of velnacrine (VLN) and acetylcholine (ACh), respectively, AChE inhibitor and substrate, in an animal model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in Wistar rats. Using intravital microscopy the number of rolling and adherent leukocytes in post-capillary venules was monitorized and blood samples were collected for TNF-α plasma concentrations determination. Our results showed that in presence of LPS, ACh has an anti-inflammatory effect, seen by a decrease in TNF-α plasma levels and maintains the number of rolling and adherent leukocytes. The presence of …VLN before LPS almost blocked the LPS-induced rolling and TNF-α releasing. Thereby VLN seems to have, like ACh, an anti-inflammatory effect by diminishing TNF-α concentrations. Show more

Keywords: Inflammation, acetylcholine, TNF-α, velnacrine, rolling leukocytes, intravital microscopy

DOI: 10.3233/CH-121646

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 53, no. 1-2, pp. 209-216, 2013