Red cell aggregation in blood flow. II. Effect on apparent viscosity of blood

The apparent viscosity of blood strongly increases at low shear in rotational viscometers, this phenomenon is based on the reversible formation of red cell aggregates. The magnitude of this increase strongly depends on the hematocrit value, on plasma viscosity and lastly on the microrheological properties of the aggregates. The independent measurement of the microrheological behavior and the effects on viscosity allows a detailed analysis of the hemodynamic effects of red cell aggregates under defined flow conditions in vivo. The comparative analysis shows that the conventional viscometry strongly underestimates the rheological differences between normal and pathologically intensified aggregation. Based on detailed analysis under defined flow conditions in vitro, the biological significance of viscometric results and the hemodynamic relevance of red cell aggregates are discussed.