title: Endothelial shear stress and blood viscosity in peripheral arterial disease.
abstract: This review examines the emerging role of endothelial shear stress (ESS) and blood viscosity on the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis in peripheral arterial disease. Among the variables determining ESS, blood viscosity has to date been the most overlooked by clinical researchers. Blood viscosity is a laboratory assessment that is minimally invasive and modifiable using pharmacologic therapy as well as by hemodilution. Monitoring and controlling blood viscosity not only modulates ESS, but also reduces peripheral vascular resistance and increases blood flow to the lower extremities.
authors: Department of Mechanical Eng. and Mechanics, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA, choyi@drexel.edu.
authors: Young I
authors: YI
authors: Cho
authors: Daniel J
authors: DJ
authors: Cho
authors: Robert S
authors: RS
authors: Rosenson
mesh_terms: D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000502:physiology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology*