Contribution of erythrocytes to turbulent blood flow

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Stein, Paul D.^{; *} | Sabbah, Hani N. | Blick, Edward F.

Affiliations: Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and Veterans Administration Hospital, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104

Note: [*] For replies and reprints: Paul D. Stein, Veterans Administration Hospital, 921 N. E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104.

Abstract: A determination was made of the contribution of erythrocytes to the intensity of turbulence in flowing blood. Blood of various hematocrits and a mixture of plasma and dextrose of nearly identical viscosity and density were caused to flow in a turbulent fashion through an in vitro flow system. The intensity of turbulence was measured with a hot film anemometer. The intensity of turbulence was dependent upon the hematocrit. At hematocrits between 20 and 30 per cent, the intensity of turbulence of the blood was over twice that of the equally viscous and dense plasma. The addition of more cells (hematocrit 40 per cent) caused a smaller difference between blood and comparable plasma. It appears, therefore, that the presence of cells in suspension tends to increase the turbulence beyond that which would occur with an equally dense and viscous plasma.

DOI: 10.3233/BIR-1975-12507

Journal: Biorheology, vol. 12, no. 5, pp. 293-299, 1975