Red cell deformability in gestational hypertension

Erythrocyte deformability and red cell characteristics (MCV, MCHC, Hct) were studied in 18 patients with gestational hypertension, 24 normotensive primigravidae and 20 nonpregnant nulliparous women. The deformability of red cells was determined by red cell filtration in a filtrometer MF4 after prefiltration through cotton wool. We found a statistically reduced deformability in patients with gestational hypertension compared with normal pregnancy and nonpregnant controls. Our data suggest a strong correlation between red cell filterability and newborn weight (r = 0.59, p < 0.02). The deformability of erythrocyte in gestational hypertension mainly depends on the fluidity of the cell membrane (lipid content). Other factors are the hemoglobin viscosity and the cell membrane surface area/cell volume ratio.