An approach of red blood cell aggregation by ultrasonic echography

Issue title: Red Cell Aggregation. Proceedings of the Second International Symposium. Paris, France, January 1988

Guest editors: J.F. Stoltz

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Boynard, M.^a | LeLievre, J.C.^b

Affiliations: [a] Laboratoires de Biophysique, UER Biomédicale des Saints-Pères, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 06 et UER Médicale de Bobigny, 74 rue Marcel Cachin, 93000 Bobigny, France | [b] Unité de Biorhéologie, CHU Pitié Salpétrière, 91 boulevard de l’Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France

Note: [] Accepted by: Editor J.F. Stoltz

Abstract: The aggregation phenomenon is an important hemorheological factor which influences blood flow in human capillary bed. Aggregation can be evaluated by a number of methods but none of them can be applied simply to in vivo measurements. In contrast, use of ultrasound waves could allow measurements of mechanical and structural properties of red blood cell (RBC) suspensions as well in vitro as in vivo. To characterize more precisely and quantitatively the aggregation phenomenon, an ultrasonic method based on quantitative echography is used. The aim of this paper is to present effects of some parameters (hematocrit, dextran concentration. RBC electrical charge, shear stress) on RBC aggregation studied by ultrasonic echography. Sickle cell aggregation is also considered.

Keywords: Aggregation, Red Blood Cell, Ultrasound Backscattering

DOI: 10.3233/CH-1989-9507

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 9, no. 5, pp. 771-779, 1989