Haemorheological components in the pre-geriatric and geriatric age range in a randomly selected Western Sicily population sample (Casteldaccia study)

{Received 24.8.1992; accepted 7.12.1992} On a randomly selected western Sicily population sample (Casteldac­ cia Study: 600 subjects; 300 males and 300 females) of an age range from 40 to 79 years, were determined: Haematocrit (Htc) , blood vi­ scosity, plasma viscosity, filterability of whole blood and fibrinogen. Par­ ticipation was 97%, being 582 subjects (M = 287, F = 295). All the parameters measured showed a progressive increase with age and si­ gnificant differences were found between male and female subjects: Htc and blood viscosity were higher in male subjects (p < 0.01), while plasma viscosity, whole blood filterability and fibrinogen were higher in female subjects (p < 0.05). In …

The effect of two low doses of aspirin on whole blood thromboxane and prostacyclin generation in healthy subjects

SummaryThe effects of two low doses of aspirin (20 mg and 100 mg) on prostacyclin and thromboxane formation during whole blood clotting were studied in 8 healthy volunteers.A single 100 mg aspirin dose caused more than 90% reduction of both serum TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α; a single 20 mg dose of aspirin inhibited serum TXB2 more than 6-keto-PGF1α but effects on these two products could not be completely dissociated.However, the effect of a single 20 mg aspirin dose on serum TXB2, was of much longer duration than its inhibitory effect on PGI2 synthesis during whole blood clotting.

Regression of structural vascular changes in hypertensives after captopril treatment.

In order to investigate whether hypertension-related structural vascular changes may be influenced by antihypertensive treatment, 10 patients were studied suffering from essential arterial hypertension, five males and five females, aged between 34 and 61 years (mean age: 46.9 +/- 8.13 years). All patients received a placebo for 1 week and then captopril, 75 mg b.i.d. for 3 months. After placebo and captopril treatments, the following parameters were evaluated: SBP, DBP, mean blood pressure (MBP), by the formula 1/3 (SBP + 2 x DBP) and basal and minimal vascular resistances, respectively obtained by the ratios MBP/rest flow and MBP/peak flow. Blood flows have been obtained by strain gauge pl…

Cardiac arrhythmias as correlated with the circadian rhythm of arterial pressure in hypertensive subjects with and without left ventricular hypertrophy

To evaluate the relationship among supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias with blood pressure and heart rate (HR) values, we studied 2 groups of 20 hypertensive men with (group I) and without (group II) left ventricular hypertrophy. Ambulatory electrocardiographic tracings were recorded continuously, together with ambulatory arterial pressure. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure values measured over 24 h showed no difference between the two groups, but we found greater variability in SBP in group I. The incidence of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias was significantly higher in patients of group I; moreover, we found a strong correlation between the incidence o…

Sulfinpyrazone and platelet function in hypertensive patients

Platelet Aggregation, Coagulation and Fibrinolysis at Rest and after Bicycle Ergometer Test in CHD

Several observers have suggested that a dysfunction of dynamic balance between platelet aggregation, coagulation and fibrinolysis may be a factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This dysfunction, presumably, is correlated with the atherosclerotic vascular lesions, that could reduce the parietal synthesis of heparan-sulphase, prostacyclin and plas minogen activator.

Platelet Function During Ticlopidine and Eicosapentaenoic Acid Administration in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

Antiplatelet drugs have been reported to be useful in unstable angina. This study was designed to investigate the effects of simultaneous administration of ticlopidine and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on platelet function in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. Ticlopidine significantly reduced platelet aggregation induced by ADP and collagen with no effect on arachidonate metabolism. The aggregation responses to collagen, ADP and arachidonate were not altered significantly by EPA (as fish oil) intake whereas thromboxane A(2) formation was reduced, but not completely inhibited. Combined therapy seems to achieve a more marked degree of inhibition of aggregation together with a fall in the u…

Circulating immune complexes and platelet thromboxane synthesis in patients with insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes mellitus

Platelets from diabetic subjects with circulating immune complexes (CIC) synthesized greater amounts of thromboxane than did platelets from CIC-negative patients or controls. In view of the known action of CIC on platelet function, a relationship between these two factors may be suggested in the initiation and progression of microangiopathy in diabetes.

Thromboxane formation by platelets and platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Platelet Activity and Blood Lipid Changes in Diabetes Mellitus

An altered platelet function can often be found in diabetes mellitus (2, 3, 4, 10, 13, 16, 17, 23, 24). Several studies have pointed towards an increased sensitivity of platelets to ADP induced aggregation (3, 6, 23) in diabetic patients; this phenomenon can also be found in diabetics without apparent vasculopathy and in subjects with altered glucose tolerance (3, 23).

Hypercholesterolemia and haemostatic function changes

Patients with hypercholesterolemia have elevated levels of LDL and reduced plasma concentration of HDL.

Platelet Function and Coagulation in Secondary Prevention of Ischemic Heart Disease

The possibility of secondary prevention. of myocardial infarction using drugs as anticoagulants and platelet antiaggregants attracted much attention in the last few years. Results obtained with anticoagulants until now, however, did not always correspond to expectations and were quite contradictory although recent studies show that such treatment is quite effective1 and also that the overall incidence of brain injuries following prolonged anticoagulant treatment does not increase: in fact a certain increase of brain haemorrhages is counterbalanced by a decrease of thrombotic events2.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION, INTIMA MEDIA THICKNESS AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN ASYMPTOMATIC SUBJECTS

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate endothelial function and intima media thickness (IMT) in relation to cardiovascular risk factors (RF). METHODS: We enrolled 113 patients, mean age 62 +/- 12 years; patients underwent: anamnesis, physical examination, measurement of body weight and height and blood pressure. Biochemistry variables were also measured: total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C), triglycerides and glycemia. Vascular echography was performed to analyze flow mediated vasodilatation (FMD) at the brachial artery and IMT of the carotid and femoral arteries. RESULTS: Compared with patients without RF, patients with cardiovascular RF sho…

Effects of sorbinicate and nicotinic acid on blood viscosity, red cell deformation and platelet function

Summary Nicotinic acid (NA) and a retard derivative, sorbinicate, were investigated for their effects on blood rheology and platelet function, after oral administration, in two groups of patients with lower limb atherosclerosis obliterans — the second group having diabetes also. Red cell deformation and blood plasma viscosity were studied in the nondiabetic group (single dose of NA, 100 mg, and sorbinicate, 400 mg); release of platelet malondialdehyde (MDA) (single dose of NA, 100 mg, and sorbinicate, 800 mg), and the platelet regeneration time (before and after sorbinicate 400 mg × 3/die for 7 days) were studied in the diabetic group. Both drugs induced a significant improvement in red cel…

Platelet Activity in Relation to Smoke and Exercise in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease: Effects of Platelet Antiaggregating Drugs

Lung tissue is involved in the synthesis and/or metabolism of many vasoactive substances such as histamine, serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, bradikinin, angiotensin II and prostaglandins (1).

Platelet Function Changes in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Whether the thrombotic component of myocardial infarction is primary or secondary in a given patient, platelet function alterations can influence many mechanisms — operating at the microenvi-ronmental level — from which it depends if the thrombotic lesion grows or sends platelet emboli to the smaller myocardial vessels.

Effects of Antihypertensive Treatment on Peripheral Flow of the Lower Limbs

The clinical pattern determined in subjects that undergo a high and prolonged pressure regime is defined as “hypertensive disease”.

Platelet Function Tests and Coronary Heart Disease

It is well known that the formation of a platelet aggregate is the first step in an arterial thrombotic process.

Effects of Nifedipine on Blood Pressure, Arterial Compliance and Left Ventricular Mass in Elderly Patients with Isolated Systolic Hypertension

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of acute and chronic administration of slow-release nifedipine (SRN) on blood pressure (BP), aortic index (AI), average wall stress (AWS), left ventricular mass (LVM), and other hemodynamic parameters in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) (systolic blood pressure [SBP] > 175 mmHg). We studied 10 patients (mean age 73.7 ± 5.6 years) in which after a washout period, in basal conditions, 3 h after the administration of SRN (20 mg), and 180 days after chronic therapy (40 mg daily), we evaluated the changes of BP, HR, AI, AWS, LVM, and other parameters obtained by means of echocardiography. After SRN we observed a signific…

Effects of Flurbiprofen on Platelet Function in Ihd Patients

Importance of adjustment of haemorheological and haemocoagulative components in the medical treatment of arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower limbs

Platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin and thromboxane production in hyperlipidemic patients

SummaryIn 13 type II hyperlipidemics (10 males and 3 females; mean age 50.2 ± 10.6 years), in 10 type IV hyperlipidemics (7 males and 3 females; mean age 51 ± 13.3 years) and in 23 healthy age-and sex-matched controls, the following parameters were measured: plasma cholesterol; plasma TG; plasma C-HDL; VLDL, separated in a preparative ultracentrifuge; C-LDL; Apo B, with immunoelectrophoretic method; platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin; TXB2 formation in PRP; TXB2 in serum.This study provides evidence for: 1. Reduced platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin, more evident in type II hyperlipidemia that provides an additional mechanism involved in increased platelet aggregation found in type II h…

Changes of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (Ace) Levels During Activation of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAs)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of ACE levels during RAAs activation induced by: 1) a continuous graded bicycle ergometer test performed in a group of 15 males health youths aged between 21 and 30 years, with average age of 25.8 +/- 2.85 years; 2) i.m. injection of 20 mg of frusemide in 11 health youths (10 males and 1 female), aged between 20 and 30 years, with average age of 24.09 +/- 2.77 years; 3) dialytic treatment in 25 patients (12 males and 13 females), suffering from chronic renal failure, aged between 26 and 68 years, with average age of 54 +/- 15.42 years. Plasmatic renin activity (PRA), aldosterone (ALD) and ACE levels were determined by RIA in basal conditions…

Double-blind, crossover study of the clinical efficacy and the hemorheological effects of pentoxifylline in patients with occlusive arterial disease of the lower limbs.

The effect of a 3 month daily administration of 800 mg pentoxifylline (Trental 400 bds) or placebo was assessed under double blind crossover design in 18 patients (12 males and 6 females) with peripheral occlusive arterial disease in respect of painfree walking distance and various hemorheological and hemostasiological variables, platelet aggregation, serum cholesterol and triglycerides. In first treatment period walking distance significantly increased with pentoxifylline by 46% from baseline 121 ± 15 m and by 4% with placebo from baseline 134 ± 18 m. Pentoxifylline administration furthermore yielded significant decrease in whole blood and plasma viscosity and significant increase in eryt…

Increased plasma levels of fibrinogen in acute and chronic ischemic coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pathophysiological role of fibrinogen in patients with chronic or acute ischemic coronary syndromes on the basis of epidemiological and clinical evidences showing the importance of fibrinogen as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis progression. METHODS: We evaluated the behavior of plasma fibrinogen in 310 hospitalized patients with 1) acute myocardial infarction (n = 98); 2) unstable angina (n = 87); 3) chronic ischemic heart disease (n = 75); and 4) in controls without myocardial ischemia (n = 50). Fibrinogen was evaluated, by using the Clauss method, on day 1 and 5 during in hospital-stay and at 6-month follow…