Plasma viscosity levels in pulmonary thromboembolism

Abstract

Genetic and acquired thrombophilic risk factors may play role on developing venous thromboembolism (VTE). In many cases of pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) it can not be defined any explicit risk factor. In this study we aimed to identify the role of plasma viscosity level on PE. The investigation was planned prospectively and 33 patients with PE and 36 apparently healthy and nonsmoker volunteers as control group were enrolled in the study. The mean plasma viscosity levels were determined in patients with PE and in healthy volunteers as 1.42 +/- 0.30 cP and 1.29 +/- 0.22 cP respectively. The mean plasma viscosity levels was found to be different between PE and healthy group (p = 0.009). The mean levels of triglyceride, fibrinogen and hematocrit were found different between patients with PE and control group (p < 0.05). Variables including sex, age, smoking habits, levels of hematocrit, fibrinogen, total cholesterol and triglyceride were not associated with plasma viscosity values in patients with PE. Plasma viscosity levels were found higher in patients with PE compared with healthy indivudials. But it is needed to further studies to define the interactions between factors effecting blood rheology and development of thrombosis.