Abstract
BACKGROUND: Kidney function is known to be closely associated with the pathogenesis of hypertension. In contrast, hemorheology assessed using microchannel array flow analyzer (MC-FAN) has demonstrated the significance of cardiovascular risk factors in recent clinical studies. The present cross-sectional study aimed to clarify the relationship between hemorheology assessed by MC-FAN and kidney function in hypertensive patients from the perspective of primary prevention of cardiovascular events. METHODS: In total, 453 outpatients undergoing treatment for hypertension (176 men and 277 women; mean age ± standard deviation: 65 ± 13 years) with no history of cardiovascular disease were enrolled. Whole blood passage time (WBPT) was measured using MC-FAN as a marker of hemorheology, and the relationships with various clinical parameters including kidney function were examined. RESULTS: A significant correlation was observed between WBPT and the parameters of kidney function such as estimated glomerular filtration rate (r = -0.14, P < 0.01), urinary albumin excretion (r = 0.40, P < 0.001), and renal resistive index (r = 0.44, P < 0.001). Furthermore, multivariate analysis demonstrated urinary albumin excretion, renal resistive index, skin autofluorescence, derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites, and hematocrit as independent variables for WBPT as a subordinate factor. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicate that hemorheology assessed by the MC-FAN is significantly associated with markers of kidney function, such as albuminuria and increased renovascular resistance, in hypertensive patients.