Association of Cerebral Artery Stenosis with Blood Viscosity in Patients with Transient Ischemic Attack

Abstract

Background: Blood viscosity (BV) reflects blood thickness and stickiness, crucial for vascular health. Elevated BV is linked to stroke risk factors, suggesting a role in transient ischemic attacks (TIA).Methods: This retrospective observational study investigated BV levels in TIA patients with and without cerebral artery stenosis. Patients admitted within 24 hours of symptom onset between March 2017 and December 2021 were included. Baseline characteristics, including demographics and vascular risk factors, were assessed. BV measurements were obtained within 24 hours of symptom onset using a scanning capillary-tube viscometer. Patients were categorized into TIA groups based on the presence or absence of cerebral artery stenosis.Results: Of the 153 TIA patients screened, 86 were included for analysis. The mean age was 62.6 years, with a predominance of hypertension (59%) and dyslipidemia (45%). Patients with cerebral artery stenosis (TIA-AT group, n=56) exhibited significantly higher BV levels within 24 hours of symptom onset compared to those without stenosis (TIA-E group, n=30). This finding suggests a potential link between underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of TIA and BV levels.Conclusion: Despite the limitations of a single-center, retrospective study, this research suggests that there is evidence of increased blood viscosity in patients with TIA who have cerebral artery stenosis, implying that blood viscosity may play a role in the pathophysiology of TIA. Further research involving larger cohorts is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking BV to TIA and to validate its utility as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target in TIA management.