Effects of sedimentation of small red blood cell aggregates on blood flow in narrow horizontal tubes. 1996

T Murata
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachiohji-si, Japan.

The flow properties of aggregating red cell suspensions flowing at low flow rates through horizontal tubes are analyzed using a theoretical model. The effects of sedimentation of small aggregates, which will be formed at comparatively high flow rates, on the relative apparent viscosity are considered. In the case in which a large number of small aggregates are formed in a suspension flowing through a horizontal tube, it seems that red cells are transported as a concentrated suspension through the bottom part of the tube because of sedimentation of aggregates. A two-layer flow model is used for the distribution of red cells. It consists of plasma in the upper part and a concentrated red cell suspension in the bottom part of the tube divided by a smooth and horizontal interface. It is assumed that the suspension is a Newtonian fluid whose viscosity increases exponentially with hematocrit. The velocity distribution, the relative apparent viscosity and the flux of red cells are calculated as functions of width of plasma layer for a different discharge hematocrit. The theoretical results are compared with the results obtained from experimental data. The relative apparent viscosity increases rapidly with an increasing degree of sedimentation over a wide range of plasma layer widths.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008433 Mathematics The deductive study of shape, quantity, and dependence. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed) Mathematic
D008955 Models, Cardiovascular Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of the cardiovascular system, processes, or phenomena; includes the use of mathematical equations, computers and other electronic equipment. Cardiovascular Model,Cardiovascular Models,Model, Cardiovascular
D001783 Blood Flow Velocity A value equal to the total volume flow divided by the cross-sectional area of the vascular bed. Blood Flow Velocities,Flow Velocities, Blood,Flow Velocity, Blood,Velocities, Blood Flow,Velocity, Blood Flow
D001799 Blood Sedimentation Measurement of rate of settling of ERYTHROCYTES in blood. Erythrocyte Sedimentation,Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate,Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rates,Rate, Erythrocyte Sedimentation,Rates, Erythrocyte Sedimentation,Sedimentation Rate, Erythrocyte,Sedimentation Rates, Erythrocyte,Sedimentation, Blood,Sedimentation, Erythrocyte
D001809 Blood Viscosity The internal resistance of the BLOOD to shear forces. The in vitro measure of whole blood viscosity is of limited clinical utility because it bears little relationship to the actual viscosity within the circulation, but an increase in the viscosity of circulating blood can contribute to morbidity in patients suffering from disorders such as SICKLE CELL ANEMIA and POLYCYTHEMIA. Blood Viscosities,Viscosities, Blood,Viscosity, Blood
D004903 Erythrocyte Aggregation The formation of clumps of RED BLOOD CELLS under low or non-flow conditions, resulting from the attraction forces between the red blood cells. The cells adhere to each other in rouleaux aggregates. Slight mechanical force, such as occurs in the circulation, is enough to disperse these aggregates. Stronger or weaker than normal aggregation may result from a variety of effects in the ERYTHROCYTE MEMBRANE or in BLOOD PLASMA. The degree of aggregation is affected by ERYTHROCYTE DEFORMABILITY, erythrocyte membrane sialylation, masking of negative surface charge by plasma proteins, etc. BLOOD VISCOSITY and the ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENTATION RATE are affected by the amount of erythrocyte aggregation and are parameters used to measure the aggregation. Erythrocyte Aggregation, Intravascular,Agglutination, Intravascular,Intravascular Agglutination,Intravascular Erythrocyte Aggregation,Rouleaux Formation, Erythrocyte,Agglutinations, Intravascular,Aggregation, Erythrocyte,Aggregation, Intravascular Erythrocyte,Aggregations, Erythrocyte,Aggregations, Intravascular Erythrocyte,Erythrocyte Aggregations,Erythrocyte Aggregations, Intravascular,Erythrocyte Rouleaux Formation,Erythrocyte Rouleaux Formations,Formation, Erythrocyte Rouleaux,Formations, Erythrocyte Rouleaux,Intravascular Agglutinations,Intravascular Erythrocyte Aggregations,Rouleaux Formations, Erythrocyte
D006400 Hematocrit The volume of packed RED BLOOD CELLS in a blood specimen. The volume is measured by centrifugation in a tube with graduated markings, or with automated blood cell counters. It is an indicator of erythrocyte status in disease. For example, ANEMIA shows a low value; POLYCYTHEMIA, a high value. Erythrocyte Volume, Packed,Packed Red-Cell Volume,Erythrocyte Volumes, Packed,Hematocrits,Packed Erythrocyte Volume,Packed Erythrocyte Volumes,Packed Red Cell Volume,Packed Red-Cell Volumes,Red-Cell Volume, Packed,Red-Cell Volumes, Packed,Volume, Packed Erythrocyte,Volume, Packed Red-Cell,Volumes, Packed Erythrocyte,Volumes, Packed Red-Cell
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D018056 Hemorheology The deformation and flow behavior of BLOOD and its elements i.e., PLASMA; ERYTHROCYTES; WHITE BLOOD CELLS; and BLOOD PLATELETS. Hemorrheology

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