title: Erythrocyte deformability in the pathophysiology of the microcirculation.
abstract: The most commonly used technique for assessing the deformability of red cells, i.e. the filtration of the red cells through 5 mu pore filters, is discussed in regard to the criteria which have to be fulfilled in order to accept that an in vitro measurement truly reflects a valid physiological and pathological variable.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008851:Micropore Filters; D014462:Ultrafiltration