A strange feature of this paper and the responses is that there is no
recognition of the fact that there are many reports which show that when
blood viscosity is raised by increased levels of fibrinogen, angina is
manifest. A search in PubMed for "Angina and blood viscosity" produced
more than 160 titles dating from 1967.
Given the easy availability of search engines for literature
searches, this paper could be an example of "citation bias" as reported
recently by Greenberg, where papers which are in conflict with the
opinions of the authors are simply ignored.
The situation is not improved by the observations by the authors that
aging and smoking are increased risk factors, without apparent recognition
of the fact that both factors are associated with increased blood
viscosity.
Because the problem is considered as being vascular in origin without
recognition of the importance of the physical properties of the blood, the
beneficial effects of lowering blood viscosity are neither utilised or
recognised.
For example a 2008 paper stated, "Chronic intermittent urokinase
administrations - given with the aim of achieving fibrinogenolysis of the
elevated fibrinogen concentration at a dose of 500,000 IU urokinase three
times weekly - improves the rheological parameters and achieves an
impressive decrease in symptoms."
It remains to be seen if the Greenberg finding of citation bias lead
to an editorial requirement for authors to complete a comprehensive
literature search and include a discussion of contrary opinions.
Rapid Response:
Angina and blood viscosity.
A strange feature of this paper and the responses is that there is no
recognition of the fact that there are many reports which show that when
blood viscosity is raised by increased levels of fibrinogen, angina is
manifest. A search in PubMed for "Angina and blood viscosity" produced
more than 160 titles dating from 1967.
Given the easy availability of search engines for literature
searches, this paper could be an example of "citation bias" as reported
recently by Greenberg, where papers which are in conflict with the
opinions of the authors are simply ignored.
The situation is not improved by the observations by the authors that
aging and smoking are increased risk factors, without apparent recognition
of the fact that both factors are associated with increased blood
viscosity.
Because the problem is considered as being vascular in origin without
recognition of the importance of the physical properties of the blood, the
beneficial effects of lowering blood viscosity are neither utilised or
recognised.
For example a 2008 paper stated, "Chronic intermittent urokinase
administrations - given with the aim of achieving fibrinogenolysis of the
elevated fibrinogen concentration at a dose of 500,000 IU urokinase three
times weekly - improves the rheological parameters and achieves an
impressive decrease in symptoms."
It remains to be seen if the Greenberg finding of citation bias lead
to an editorial requirement for authors to complete a comprehensive
literature search and include a discussion of contrary opinions.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests