Influence of red cell concentration on filtration of blood cell suspensions

Pressure-time curves obtained by passing suspensions of blood cells in Ringer solution through a 5 microns polycarbonate filter at constant flow (1.6 ml/min) were evaluated for their ability to reflect the deformability of the erythrocytes. The initial pressure reading (Pi) obtained in a quasi-steady state during the first 1-2 sec of pumping was found to be reproducible for hematocrit values between 10 and 30 percent. This Pi value was normalized by the pressure generated by the cell-free suspending medium (PO) at the same flow rate. The ratio Pi/PO was found to be linearly proportional to hematocrit up to 30 percent but independent of leukocyte concentration up to 12,000/mm3. Later portions of the curve did vary with leukocyte count. By using the equations developed from theoretical modeling of cells passing through a filter, the experimentally determined relation of Pi/PO to hematocrit, and the known geometry of the filter pores, we were able to calculate parameters reflecting the deformability of red cells. These include beta, the ratio of resistance in a pore containing a red cell to that in a pore containing only the suspending medium, and alpha, the proportion of pores filled by erythrocytes in transit. The application of theoretical analysis to experimental data has provided quantitative insights into the behavior of red cells during filtration tests in normal and disease states.