Evaluation of a torsional-vibrating technique for the hemorheological characterization

Clinical measurement of blood viscosity is an important parameter in the diagnosis of different diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases). The significance of blood viscosity in the microcirculatory flow is also of great importance. Thus, a simple and accurate evaluation of hemorheological properties could be an important challenge in clinical practice. Nowadays, validated measurements of plasma viscosity are commonly carried out with rotational viscometers by means of the various geometric configurations. However, red blood cells deform under mechanical force and this aspect could lead to an artificial variation in the apparent viscosity. In this work, an evaluation of a new technique for the viscosity determination is focused. In particular, a torsional oscillation viscometer was adopted (VM10AL, CBC Europe) in the presence and in the absence of stirring conditions at thermostated conditions. The profile of the rheological behaviour as a function of time was recorded and compared with that obtained using a cone-plate rotational viscometer (AR300, TA Instrument).