Technique for direct and quantitative evaluation of erythrocyte aggregability in blood samples

An improved technique for the assessment of red blood cell aggregability in human (or animal) blood is proposed, which can provide medical workers and researchers with direct microscopic quantitative data on this essential index of blood rheological properties in the microcirculation. The procedure of treating the blood samples is optimized: the red cells remain in their natural environment (their own blood plasma), while the manipulations and effects that might distort their natural aggregability index is accomplished in glass chambers using an image analyzer. Examples of the erythrocyte aggregability changes in hypertensive patients as compared with those in the healthy control group testify to the significance of the obtainable data.