Haemorheological changes and fibrinolytic activity in adult asthmatic patients with sickle cell trait (HbAS).

Haemorheological parameters and euglobulin lysis time (ELT) were assessed in eighty-one adult asthmatic patients, 27 in stable state (19 with genotype AA and 8 heterozygous AS), 27 during attack (13 homozygous AA and 13 heterozygous AS) and 27 normal healthy individuals as control group (16 homozygous AA and 11 heterozygous AS). Packed cell volume (PCV), plasma fibrinogen concentration (PFC) and plasma viscosity (PV) were significantly higher in asthmatic patients during attack and stable state (p < 0.001), respectively, than controls. ELT was higher in controls (p < 0.001) than in asthmatic patients during attack. Asthmatic patients during attack have higher PCV, PV, PFC and ELT (p < 0.001), respectively, than patients in stable state. The female have significantly higher PCV (p < 0.001) than male in the control group. Male asthmatic patients have higher PCV and PFC during attack (p < 0.001). Controls with haemoglobin AA have higher PCV (p < 0.001) and lower PFC (p < 0.001) and ELT (p < 0.001) than the control group with haemoglobin AS. Asthmatic patients in stable state have lower PFC (p < 0.001) and plasma viscosity (PV) than AS. The disturbances of fibrinolysis and haemorheology may be a contributory factor in the pathology and aetiology of intermittent bronchospasm episodes during attack.