Influence of cell size on erythrocyte deformability in treated polycythaemia vera

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kenny, M.W.^{a; b} | Gyde, O.H.B.^{a; b} | Stuart, J.^{a; b; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Haematology, Medical School, University of Birmingham, B15 2TJ, UK | [b] Department of Haematology, East Birmingham Hospital, B9 5ST, UK

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to Professor J. Stuart, University of Birmingham

Note: [] Accepted by: Editor G.D.O. Lowe

Abstract: Erythrocyte deformability in 39 patients with polycythaemia vera was studied by cell filtration through polycarbonate membranes of 3 µn and 5 µn pore diameter and by the measurement of erythrocyte bulk viscosity. Classification of patients according to erythrocyte mean cell volume (MCV 90+ fl - 11 patients; MCV 78–89 fl - 17 patients; MCV < 75 fl - 11 patients) revealed a clear relationship between erythrocyte size and deformability. Reduction in erythrocyte size was associated with improved erythrocyte deformability as measured by both filtration and viscometric techniques so that microcytosis is unlikely to be a rheological hazard in patients with polycythaemia vera.

Keywords: Rheology, Viscosity, Polycythaemia, Microcytosis, Erythrocyte deformability

DOI: 10.3233/CH-1984-4401

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 381-386, 1984