Comparison of instruments for measurement of erythrocyte deformability

A comparison of instruments for the measurement of erythrocyte deformability (Contraves LS30, Ektacytometer, Hemorheometre SP02 and Erythrometre) was made using in vitro manipulated erythrocytes and also ex vivo leucocyte-free blood samples from 110 patients. In vitro manipulation of either erythrocyte cytoplasmic viscosity, membrane elasticity, or cell shape was of limited value in predicting instrument performance in the subsequent clinical study which included patients with arterial disease (37), renal failure (30), liver failure (30) and excess alcohol (13). The study demonstrates that erythrocyte volume and shape are important determinants of rheological differences between patient groups and that a combination of instruments is required to obtain maximum rheological information.