Affiliations: Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey | Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey | Department of Biochemistry, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey | Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Dr. Oguz K. Baskurt, Professor of Physiology, Koc University School of Medicine, Rumelifeneri Yolu, 34450 Sariyer, Istanbul, Turkey. Tel.: +90 212 338 1160; Fax: +90 212 338 1168; E-mail: obaskurt@ku.edu.tr
Abstract: A new method is described in this paper that allows measurement of red blood cell (RBC) aggregation indexes in disposable glass tubes within minutes. Light transmission through the RBC suspension filled into a microhematocrit capillary at stasis is recorded during RBC aggregation; a novel method assures an initial dispersion of aggregates in the capillary. The resulting light transmittance-time data are analyzed to calculate various parameters. Measurement of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and RBC aggregation using well established methods and the newly developed capillary tube aggregometer in blood samples with a wide range of RBC aggregation indicated significant correlations between these parameters. Additionally, light transmittance during complete disaggregation allows estimating hematocrit, thereby enabling hematocrit correction of the measured and calculated parameters. The newly developed capillary tube RBC aggregometer is suitable for use as a method to rapidly monitor disease activity and the acute phase response, especially at the point-of-care (e.g., health care facilities, physician's office) and for field studies.
