Variations of whole blood viscosity using Rheolog-a new scanning capillary viscometer.
BACKGROUND
Whole blood viscosity (WBV) values identify subjects at high risk for initial or recurrent cardiovascular events. However, these measurements have been limited to specialized centers. A new type of viscometer, Rheolog, was designed to overcome the difficulties encountered in WBV measurements using the standard rotational viscometer in a clinical environment.


METHODS
We evaluated the 14-day variability of WBV measured by Rheolog in a single-center study of 24 healthy male subjects aged 18-75 years. WBV was measured through an 11-h period on study days 1, 8, and 14. An additional fasting WBV test was performed on study days 3, 5, and 11.


RESULTS
Average morning measurements were higher than afternoon measurements at all shear rates. Both inter- and intraindividual variations were higher in the morning than later in the day, but the differences between pooled mean values were not significant. Interindividual variations at fasting were higher than the pre-meal or overall variations. There was a small nonsignificant increase in mean viscosity following each meal.


CONCLUSIONS
WBV measurements using Rheolog have potential for clinical application because of the convenience and low variability of measurements over time.
Wang
Sihe
S
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 2300 Children's Plaza, Chicago, IL 60614, USA.
Boss
Anders H
AH
Kensey
Kenneth R
KR
Rosenson
Robert S
RS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004435:Eating; D005215:Fasting; D018056:Hemorheology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors