Ultrasonic backscatter from flowing whole blood. I: Dependence on shear rate and hematocrit

Previous results show that ultrasonic backscatter from red blood cells (RBCs) suspended in saline is a function of hematocrit and frequency and that it can be affected by flow disturbance. The experimental data agree well with the theories. In the present article, results on ultrasonic backscatter from flowing whole blood are reported. Studies have been conducted on porcine, bovine, and human blood. Ultrasonic backscatter of flowing whole blood differs from that of RBC suspensions in that it is shear-rate dependent, which means that it is a function of spatial position of the blood in the flow conduit. Moreover, the results indicate that it is also species dependent. This behavior can be readily understood when red cell aggregation is considered.