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Haemorheological, platelet and endothelial factors in essential hypertension

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 16, pages 529–531 (2002)Cite this article

Evidence suggests that numerous haemorheological, platelet and endothelial factors may contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension. Von Willebrand factor (vWf) is the largest plasma protein that mediates platelet activation in the subendothelium of damaged blood vessels. Together with soluble thrombomodulin (TM), both are indicators of endothelial dysfunction and/or damage, this being one of the first stages of atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction has also been associated with increased expression of cell adhesion molecules (E-selectin, P-selectin, intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)). Hypertension may also be accompanied by vascular complications analogous with platelet activation and aggregation and beta thromboglobulin (βTG) is an established marker of platelet activity. Furthermore, factors such as the haematocrit, plasma viscosity, fibrinogen and red cell deformability and aggregation can contribute to plasma hyperviscosity and thus may have some prognostic value in hypertensive patients.

The current issue includes three case-control studies that have compared a range of haemorheological factors and markers of both endothelial dysfunction and platelet activation between hypertensives and normotensives.345 In addition, Ciuffetti et al3 further divided their hypertensives into two groups based on skin capillary density (which may contribute to the increase in total peripheral resistance among hypertensives). Moreover, Hlubocká et al4 examined the effects of antihypertensive treatment with quinapril (an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor) on cell adhesion molecules, whilst Remková and Kratochvíl'ová5 reported the impact of rilmenidine (a second-generation sympatholytic) therapy on endothelial and platelet function.

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  1. Wolfson Unit for Prevention of Peripheral Vascular Diseases, Public Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, UK

    A J Lee

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  1. A J Lee
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Lee, A. Haemorheological, platelet and endothelial factors in essential hypertension. J Hum Hypertens 16, 529–531 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001456

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