hyperviscosity syndrome

hyperviscosity syndrome,

any of various syndromes associated with increased viscosity of the blood. One type results from serum hyperviscosity and is characterized by spontaneous bleeding, with neurologic and ocular disorders. Another type is characterized by polycythemia, with retarded blood flow, organ congestion, reduced capillary perfusion, and increased cardiac effort. A third group includes conditions in which the deformability of erythrocytes is impaired, such as sickle cell anemia.

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hyperviscosity

excessive viscosity, as of the blood.

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hyperviscosity syndrome

increased viscosity of the blood occurs with IgM and IgA myelomas because of the high levels of macroglobulins; causes increased resistance to blood, hypoxia, organ failure, retinal lesions, abnormalities in platelet function, coagulation defects and cardiac failure.

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hyperviscosity syndrome

Lab medicine A clinical condition caused by an abnormal sluggishness of blood flow through peripheral vessels, especially with serum IgM levels > 3 g/dL, which may trigger oronasal bleeding, blurred vision, headache, dizziness, vertigo, ataxia, encephalopathy, or altered consciousness Funduscopic exam Venous dilatation, "sausage formation" hemorrhages, exudates; serum viscosity correlates poorly with clinical findings among Pts, but correlates well in the same Pt. See Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.