Increased whole blood viscosity is associated with silent cerebral infarction

The presence of silent cerebral infarction (SCI) increases the risk of transient ischemia attack, symptomatic stroke, cardiovascular disease and dementia. Increased viscosity is associated with aging, obesity, carotid intima-media thickness, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and stroke. AIMS: The purpose of the study was to assess the hemorheological parameters levels in SCI patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the association between hemorheological parameters and SCI in 1487 subjects (868 men and 619 women) undergoing medical check-up. RESULTS: The participants with SCI had higher whole blood viscosity (WBV) levels at low shear rate than those without SCI (10.34 ± 1.77 mPa.s vs. 8.98 ± 0.88 mPa.s; P < 0.001). Moreover, the subjects with a high WBV had a higher prevalence of SCI. Logistic regression analysis revealed that a significant association of WBV levels with the risk of SCI after adjustment for confounding factors (OR: 2.025; 95% CI: 1.750-2.343; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Whole blood viscosity at low shear rate is a novel indicator for SCI regardless of classical cardiovascular risk factors. Early measurement of whole blood viscosity may be helpful to assess the risk of stroke.