Blood viscosity as a forgotten factor and its effect on pulmonary flow

BACKGROUND: The effect of smoking on blood viscosity is widely known. There are, however, few studies on the effect of blood viscosity on pulmonary circulation. METHODS: We aimed to observe the relationship between blood viscosity and pulmonary circulation among smokers and non-smokers. The study comprised 114 subjects in three groups: group 1, ex-smokers; group 2, smoked at least 10 packs/year and still smoking; group 3, never smoked. Blood viscosity (BV), pulmonary blood flow (PBF), and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) were measured in all subjects. RESULTS: PBF was significantly lower in group 1 compared with group 3 (p < 0.05). BV in group 1 was significantly higher than group 3 (p < 0.05) while BV in group 2 was significantly higher than group 3 (p < 0.05). PBF in group 2 was significantly lower than group 3 (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We believe that BV is a significant and forgotten factor that plays an important role in pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. BV may affect PF even during the course of smoking, and before the clinical onset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, individuals at risk of pulmonary hypertension could be detected earlier with a simple blood test.