Abstract
The flow rate of blood cell suspensions through Nuclepore membranes are influenced by a) the occlusion of pores by white cells and platelets b) the haematocrit of the suspension and c) the viscosity of the suspending medium. These factors are thus considered to introduce artefacts into the technique and it is commonly believed that filtration methods are of no value in assessing red cell deformability unless plasma, platelets and white cells are removed before the test is performed. We have measured flow profiles of dilutions (1/15 to 1/100) of whole blood in buffered saline through 3 u Nuclepore membranes. The flow profiles are markedly different due to differences in the number of red cells, white cells, platelets and different amounts of plasma in the suspensions. However the calculated pore-occupation times of the red cells (see Jones et al, 1985) is the same in all cases (about 0.5 seconds). Increasing the viscosity of the suspending medium four-fold by the inclusion of Dextran -40 produced no change in the pore-occupation of the red cells. We conclude that none of the above factors should be adjusted arbitrarily to produce a ‘standardised’ test. Any influence they may have on the calculated pore-occupation time of the red cells is not an artefact but a direct effect on the flow properties of the red cells.
Jones et al, 1985 Brit. J. Haematol. 59, 541-546.
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Wardrop, C., Jones, J., Humphrys, J. et al. ARTIFACTS OF BLOOD FILTRATION PROCEDURES: FACT OR FICTION. Pediatr Res 19, 1132 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198510000-00339
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198510000-00339