Hemodynamic effects of red blood cell aggregation

Baskurt O. K., Meiselman H. J.

INDIAN JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY, vol.45, no.1, pp.25-31, 2007 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 45 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2007
  • Journal Name: INDIAN JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.25-31
  • Keywords: hemodynamic mechanism, red blood cell aggregation, DEPENDENT RHEOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR, OXIDE SYNTHASE EXPRESSION, ERYTHROCYTE AGGREGATION, LOW-SHEAR, VELOCITY PROFILES, RBC AGGREGATION, VENOUS NETWORK, FLOW, RESISTANCE, VISCOSITY
  • Akdeniz University Affiliated: No

Abstract

The influence of red blood cell (RBC) aggregation on blood flow in vivo has been under debate since early 1900's, yet a full understanding has still has not been reached. Enhanced RBC aggregation is well known to increase blood Viscosity measured in rotational viscometers. However, it has been demonstrated that RBC aggregation may decrease flow resistance in cylindrical tubes, due to the formation of a cell-poor zone near the tube wall which results from the enhanced central accumulation of RBC. There is also extensive discussion regarding the effects of RBC aggregation on in vivo blood flow resistance. Several groups have reported increased microcirculatory flow resistance with enhanced RBC aggregation in experiments that utilized intravital microscopy. Alternatively, whole organ studies revealed that flow resistance may be significantly decreased if RBC aggregation is enhanced. Recently, new techniques have been developed to achieve well-controlled, graded alterations in RBC aggregation Without influencing suspending phase properties. Studies using this technique revealed that the effects of RBC aggregation are determined by the degree of aggregation changes, and that this relationship can be explained by different hemodynamic mechanisms.