Rheologic, haemostatic, and coagulative variables in type II hyperlipoproteinemic subjects

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the direct influence of cholesterol and triglycerides on the rheologic-coagulative pattern. Blood rheologic properties (blood plasmatic and seric viscosity, whole blood and red cell filterability), some coagulative factors (fibrinogen, levels of clotting factors VII and VIII activity), and beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 were studied in 156 men aged 40–54 years, 87 with type II hyperlipoproteinemia (46 type IIa and 41 type IIb) and 69 normolipemic controls. Smokers and patients with arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or cardiovascular clinical manifestations were excluded. Increased blood viscosity (shear rate 225 sec-1, p < 0.01) and higher value of beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 (p < 0.001 both) were observed in type IIb hyperlipoproteinemic patients. Levels of fibrinogen and factor VII and VIII activity did not differ in hyperlipemic patients and controls. After multiple regression analysis, levels of platelet factor 4, plasma viscosity, and fibrinogenemia were positively related with triglycerides concentration; total cholesterol concentration was positively related to fVII activity and inversely with red cell filterability. We conclude that the rheologic-coagulative pattern is more severely altered in type IIb than in type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia, and that these alterations are strictly related to the severity of the increase in trigly cerides and cholesterol levels.