Graded alterations of RBC aggregation influence in vivo blood flow resistance.

Hemodynamic effects of red blood cell aggregation.

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 format...

Influence of Graded Alterations of Red Blood Cell Aggregation on in Vivo Blood Flow Resistance

Blood rheology and hemodynamics.

Blood is a two-phase suspension of formed elements (i.e., red blood cells [RBCs], white blood cells [WBCs], platelets) suspended in an aqueous solution of organic molecules, proteins, and salts called plasma. The apparent viscosity of blood depends on the existing shear forces (i.e., blood behaves as a non-Newtonian fluid) and is determined by hematocrit, plasma viscosity, RBC aggregation, and ...

Determination of microvascular flow pattern formation in vivo.

Blood flow in microvessels differs significantly from that of red blood cells (RBC) flowing through long, straight glass tubes in vitro. The in vivo situation is characterized by the presence of plasma favoring aggregation, by the irregular geometry of vessel segments, and by frequent branching points. Here, a method is presented to characterize flow patterns in microvascular blood flow during ...

Effect of red blood cell rigidity on tumor blood flow: increase in viscous resistance during hyperglycemia.

Elevated glucose level and low pH have been shown to increase red blood cell (RBC) rigidity. This increased rigidity has been proposed as one factor which mediates the tumor blood flow (TBF) reduction during hyperglycemia by (a) causing RBC entrapment and hence increasing geometric resistance and (b) increasing viscous resistance to blood flow. However, due to the inability to measure these res...