Whole Blood Viscosity In Thalassemia

A number of defects are observed in thalassemic red cell including membrane rigidity which can lead to less deformability of the cell. Changes in flexibility of red cells may affect blood flow, especially in the microcirculation. However, there are very few reports about whole blood viscosity in thalassemia. In this study we measured the whole blood viscosity by using an Ostwald U-tube in 10 subjects each of splenectomized and non-splenectomized beta-thalassemia/HbE, HbH and normal. The study was carried out at room air, 100% oxygen and carbon dioxide saturation. The results showed that the relative whole blood viscosity in all thalassemia patients were significantly lower than that of normal subjects at all different oxygen saturation conditions (p < 0.05). The relative whole brood viscosity seemed to be affected by fully saturated oxygen in HbH disease and normal subjects while this was not observed in beta-thalassemia/HbE patients. The clinical relevant of less whole blood viscosity in thalassemic patients in term of tissue oxygenation needs further evaluation. Copyright 1997 by Monduzzi Editore S.p.A.