Which mechanism underlies hyperviscosity syndrome?

Which mechanism underlies hyperviscosity syndrome?

• A. Excess serum proteins or cellular components leading to hypoperfusion
• B. Autoimmune destruction of red blood cells
• C. Hyperglycemia-induced dehydration
• D. Decrease in plasma oncotic pressure

Answer: (A)

Hyperviscosity syndrome arises when the blood becomes thicker because of excess proteins or cellular components in the plasma. In conditions like Waldenström macroglobulinemia or multiple myeloma, high levels of monoclonal immunoglobulins or an increased cellular mass raise plasma viscosity, causing sluggish flow especially in the microcirculation. This impaired flow leads to hypoperfusion of tissues, producing symptoms such as headache, dizziness, blurred vision, mucosal bleeding, and neurologic changes. It’s not primarily about autoimmune red cell destruction, dehydration from hyperglycemia, or a loss of plasma oncotic pressure; those factors affect other aspects of physiology, not the thickening of blood that characterizes hyperviscosity. Therefore, the mechanism is excess serum proteins or cellular components increasing viscosity and reducing perfusion.

Hyperviscosity syndrome arises when the blood becomes thicker because of excess proteins or cellular components in the plasma. In conditions like Waldenström macroglobulinemia or multiple myeloma, high levels of monoclonal immunoglobulins or an increased cellular mass raise plasma viscosity, causing sluggish flow especially in the microcirculation. This impaired flow leads to hypoperfusion of tissues, producing symptoms such as headache, dizziness, blurred vision, mucosal bleeding, and neurologic changes. It’s not primarily about autoimmune red cell destruction, dehydration from hyperglycemia, or a loss of plasma oncotic pressure; those factors affect other aspects of physiology, not the thickening of blood that characterizes hyperviscosity. Therefore, the mechanism is excess serum proteins or cellular components increasing viscosity and reducing perfusion.