title: Rheological changes in the prodromal and established phases of sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis.
abstract: A rheological study has been made in 20 patients with sickle cell anaemia in the steady state and in the prodromal and established phases of 12 vaso-occlusive crises. Rheology of sickle cells was studied by discontinuous density gradient fractionation and by filtration through pores of 5 microns diameter. The prodromal phase of crisis (day 1), when compared with mean steady state values, was associated with the development of a sub-population of poorly deformable dense cells. This sub-population appeared 1 or more days before the acute-phase rise in C-reactive protein, orosomucoid, fibrinogen, plasma viscosity and leucocytes, and before the rise in serum lactate dehydrogenase. As crisis evolved, the sub-population decreased to steady-state values, or below, by days 6-7. Identification of the prodromal phase of sickle cell crisis has allowed the detection of rheological changes of potential aetiological significance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Medical School, University of Birmingham.
authors.forename: N O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Akinola
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Franklin
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Nash
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stuart
mesh_terms: D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000502:physiology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D004907:Erythrocyte Deformability / Q000502:physiology; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase