High blood viscosity in acute ischemic stroke

Abstract Background: Changes in blood viscosity can influence the shear stress level at the vessel wall. However, there is limited evidence to date regarding the role of high blood viscosity in acute thrombogenic events. We aimed to investigate the effect of blood viscosity on stroke occurrence and the clinical utility of blood viscosity measurements obtained immediately upon hospital arrival. Methods: Patients with suspected stroke visiting the hospital within 24 h of the last known well time were enrolled. Point-of-care testing was used to obtain blood viscosity measurements before intravenous fluid infusion. Blood viscosity was measured as the reactive torque generated at three different oscillatory frequencies (1, 5, and 10 Hz ). Blood viscosity results were compared among patients with stroke mimics, ischemic stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke. Results: Among 112 enrolled patients, bloo…