Determination of red blood cell suspensions rheological properties in oscillatory flow

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ribitsch, V.

Affiliations: Dept. of Physical Chemistry, University Graz, Heinrichstraße 28, Graz, Austria

Note: [] Accepted by: Guest Editor I. Anadere (Received in final form by Executive Editorial Office 28.11.1988)

Abstract: The influence of RBC mechanical properties and aggregation on the viscoelasticity of whole blood was studied in an oscillating capillary flow. Cell membrane mechanical properties were altered by age separation into old and young RBC, by heat treatment and glutardialdehyd fixation of RBC. The altered RBC were resuspended in autologous plasma. Aggregation was increased adding different amounts of Dextran 110. The results indicate, that changes of RBC membrane elasticity mainly influence the elastic component while changes of membrane viscosity influence the viscous component of complex viscosity. Membrane mechanical effects can be discriminated from enhanced aggregation.

Keywords: Red Blood Cell Suspension, Membrane Elasticity, Membrane Viscosity, Aggregation, Viscoelasticity

DOI: 10.3233/CH-1989-9213

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 313-317, 1989