Abstract
Blood viscosity, due to its effect on blood flow, is one of the determinants of oxygen delivery. Therefore the influence of elevated blood viscosity on hearing was studied in rats using the auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold, wave 1 latency, brainstem transmission time (BTT) and wave 1 4 amplitude ratio. Whole blood viscosity (WBV) was elevated by 15–21% in two different ways: elevating the hematocrit (Polycythemia) by acclimation in a hypobaric chamber, or elevating the plasma viscosity by infusing a solution of Polyvinylpyrrolidone-360 (PVP). ABR was recorded before and 24 h after the blood viscosity was elevated, so that each rat served as its own control. Paired t-tests showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the ABR parameters in each of the groups as a consequence of blood viscosity elevation. In conclusion, the elevation of WBV to this degree for this duration, using two different techniques had no effect either on the function of the auditory nerve and the more peripheral sites, or on the central auditory pathway as studied by ABR.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
