[Whole blood viscosity measurement in acute myocardial infarction: feasibility and significance].

Thrombolytic agents and new antiplatelet drugs used in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) could change whole blood viscosity. The aim of this pilot trial is to compare blood viscosity at four shear rate levels among three groups of patients: AMI receiving thrombolysis with alteplase (n: 10), AMI eligible for primary angioplasty with abciximab (n: 10), healthy volunteers (n: 10). Viscosity measurement was obtained in 30 minutes with a Couette hemoviscosimeter. At baseline, blood viscosity level was higher in patients with acute coronary syndromes than in healthy volunteers (72 +/- 32 mPa.s versus 51 +/- 13 mPa.s, p<0.05). After thrombolysis, viscosity was higher at 90 minutes than at third day, paradoxically with fibrinogen elevation (72 +/- 32 mPa.s versus 58 +/- 27 mPa.s, p=0.01). In primary angioplasty with abciximab, viscosity decreased significantly (56 +/- 28 mPa.s versus 43 +/- 13 mPa.s, p=0.01). The effects of ionic contrast agent and abciximab are discussed. In healthy volunteers group, 100 mg aspirin once a day during 7 days reduces blood viscosity at high shear stress. The small size of the study population restricts correlation analysis with major clinical adverse events. A larger trial is necessary to evaluate the predictive value of whole blood viscosity in reocclusive and/or hemorrhagic events in those reperfusion strategies but also in case of thrombolytic agent and abciximab combination.