Clinical measurement of whole-blood viscosity at low-shear rates

Article type: Research Article

Authors: McN. Inglis, T.C. | Carson, P.J. | Stuart, J.^{; *}

Affiliations: Department of Haematology, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TJ, UK

Correspondence: [*] to whom correspondence should be addressed

Note: [] Accepted by: Editor J.A. Dormandy

Abstract: An evaluation has been made of the Contraves LS 30, Haake CV 100, and Wells-Brookfield viscometers. The value of the Contraves system for blood viscosity measurements at shear rates below 1 s−l has been confirmed, but red cell settling and the method used for haematocrit correction were found to be important technical variables. Use of a guard ring was not beneficial. This study has demonstrated a number of technical factors that must be carefully standardised to allow inter-departmental comparability of viscosity measurements at low-shear rates in clinical studies.

Keywords: blood viscosity

DOI: 10.3233/CH-1981-1207

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 167-177, 1981