Haemorheological studies in Raynaud’s syndrome 1

Abstract

Red cell filterability (RCF in 8% buffer suspensions with albumin), haematocrit (Ht), haemoglobin (Hb), plasma viscosity (PV), fibrinogen (Fb) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were studied rn 15 patients (4 male, 11 female) of age range 15–58 years with idiopathic Raynaud’s syndrome and compared with 14 healthy controls (7 male, 7 female) of age range 19–67 years. Patients were in acute phase of vascular disease. RCF and PV were measured at 25°C and 37°C. There was no significant difference between patients and controls in the Hb, Ht, RCF and Fb. Plasma viscosity was significantly increased in the patients at 37°C (p < 0.01) and even more at 25°C (p < 0.005). A significant increase (p < 0.01) in ESR was also detected in the patients. These findings suggest that abnormalities in plasma composition and physical properties may contribute to impairement of blood flow in the microcirculation.