Impaired skin microcirculation and blood rheology in patients with monoclonal gammapathy

Hemorheological disturbances in patients with monoclonal gammapathies are w idely known, but there is little information about microcirculation in thes e patients. The following study was performed to examine skin microcirculat ion and its relationship with blood rheology. We analysed both haematologic al and hemorheological parameters (blood and plasma viscosity, aggregation index and filterability of 1 mi of whole blood) and skin microcirculation i n 46 patients with monoclonal gammapathy and 22 healthy controls. Microcirc ulation on dorsal aspect of the hand was examined with laser Doppler flowme ter. We measured resting flow and biological zero and maximal flow during p ostischemic hyperaemic reaction after one minute occlusion on the arm. The same parameters were estimated for CMBC (concentration of moving blood cell s). Patients with monoclonal gammapathy are characterised by statistically higher whole blood and plasma viscosities and other hemorheological paramet ers and disturbed skin microcirculation expressed as statistically signific ant lower resting flux and impaired reaction for temporary occlusion.