Abstract

Methods: The technique used was a modification of Beutlerns method using an alfa-cellulose + sigmacell 50 column (6.4 ml in a 10 ml syringe, diameter 16 mm) with choline-Ringer buffer. The time for erythrocytes to pass through the column was registered. Whole blood viscosity was measured at 37 OC in a computer controlled rotational Couette-type viscometer at standardized hematocrit 45%.Material: Venous blood from two different groups of subjects were used. 10 hyperthyroid patients (increased blood viscosity) were compared to 10 healthy subjects (normal blood viscosity). Results: Whole blood viscosity in the hyperthyroid patient group was increased at all shear rates (p<0.001) compared to healthy subjects. The mean passage time through the column for erythrocytes from thyrotoxic patients was 254 + 6.9 sec. and was significantly higher (p<0.025) compared to the passage time for normal subjects (219 + 21.5 sec.) The column passage time was strongly correlated to whole blood viscosity at all shear rates investigated in both groups (p<0.01- 0.001).Conclusion: There is a correlation between erythrocyte passage time through an alfa-cellulose + sigmacell 50 column and whole blood viscosity. Is this a way to assess erythrocyte deformability, aggregability or what else?