Hemorheological effects of mechanical factors on blood cell damage in extracorporeal circulation: significance of sub-hemolytic trauma

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ohshima, Norio

Affiliations: Division of Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, The University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

Note: [] Accepted by: Editor E. Fukada

Abstract: The kinematic study of red blood cell (RBC) deformation in the clinical and experimental extracorporeal circulation was carried out in the light of hemorheological parameters such as hemolysis, whole blood viscosity and RBC osmotic fragility. Results obtained suggest that the rate of hemolysis depends strongly on the mechanical factors, namely, it increases as the blood flow increases. While, from the measurements of whole blood viscosity and RBC osmotic fragility, it seemed that the sub-hemolytic changes of the structure of the red blood cell membrane is also accompanied by the mechanical destruction of the red blood cells. Clinical implications of these hemorheological changes of blood components in the extracorporeal circulation were also discussed.

DOI: 10.3233/BIR-1978-153-416

Journal: Biorheology, vol. 15, no. 3-4, pp. 295-302, 1978