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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
10:27
Controlled Microfluidic Environment for Dynamic Investigation of Red Blood Cell Aggregation
Published on: June 4, 2015
Blood viscosity: influence of erythrocyte aggregation
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|August 18, 1967
Summary
Fibrinogen increases blood viscosity and red blood cell aggregation by forming cell clumps. Increased shear stress can disperse these fibrinogen-induced erythrocyte aggregates.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Blood viscosity is a critical factor in cardiovascular health.
- Understanding erythrocyte aggregation is key to blood flow dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of fibrinogen on canine erythrocyte aggregation and blood viscosity.
- To determine the relationship between fibrinogen concentration and these effects.
Main Methods:
- Canine erythrocytes were suspended in Ringer solution.
- Purified canine or bovine fibrinogen was added at varying concentrations.
- Viscosity and aggregate formation were measured under different shear rates.
Main Results:
- Fibrinogen addition increased blood viscosity and induced erythrocyte aggregation.
- These effects plateaued around 1 g/100 mL fibrinogen.
- Increased shear stress reduced viscosity effects and aggregate size.
Conclusions:
- Fibrinogen promotes erythrocyte aggregation, increasing blood viscosity.
- This interaction leads to non-Newtonian blood behavior.
- Shear stress can reversibly disperse fibrinogen-mediated erythrocyte aggregates.
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