[Comparison of methods for determining erythrocyte deformability]

We have studied the erythrocyte deformability by means of the filtration technique proposed by Reid et al. and with the new technique proposed by Schmid-Schönbein et al. using a Filtrometer MF4. We have studied 50 healthy subjects (24 females and 26 males) aged 25-61 (mean age 34 years). Our results show that slope 80% (SL80) and minimal value (MV) represent the more reliable indexes given by Filtrometer MF4. This instrument gives an exhaustive and automated analysis of erythrocyte deformability. Its results allow us a more extensive knowledge of hemorheological behavior of red blood cells in very low flow conditions.