The degree of red blood cell aggregation on peripheral blood glass slides corresponds to inter-erythrocyte cohesive forces in laminar flow.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the degree of correlation between red blood cell (RBC) aggregation on peripheral blood glass slides (PBGS) as determined by image analysis and the inter-erythrocytic cohesive forces as determined in a computerized cell flow properties analyzer (CFA).


METHODS
RBC aggregation was assessed using both systems simultaneously in healthy volunteers, obese patients and hypercholesterolemic individuals before and following LDL apheresis.


RESULTS
A significant (r = 0.5, p < 0.001) correlation was noted between the flow-dependent average aggregate size (AAS) obtained in the CFA and the degree of RBC aggregation on peripheral blood glass slides. Moreover, the enhanced RBC aggregation on the slides was positively associated with the appearance of larger aggregates in the CFA (r = 0.5, p < 0.001) and inversely with the formation of smaller aggregates (r = -0.27, p < 0.04). A similar reduction in RBC aggregation following LDL apheresis was noted in both systems.


CONCLUSIONS
The phenomenon of RBC aggregation on peripheral blood glass slides is governed by significant inter-erythrocytic cohesive forces and is not a result of a mere coincidental superimposition of cells. The slide test offers a rapid and simple method of evaluating rheologically significant RBC aggregation, and may allow stratification of patients at risk for atherothrombosis.
Berliner
Shlomo
S
Department of Internal Medicine D, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel. shapiraiz@tasmc.health.gov.il
Ben-Ami
Ronen
R
Samocha-Bonet
Dorit
D
Abu-Abeid
Subchi
S
Schechner
Vered
V
Beigel
Yitzhak
Y
Shapira
Itzhak
I
Yedgar
Saul
S
Barshtein
Gershon
G
D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004903:Erythrocyte Aggregation; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000097:blood*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013314:Stress, Mechanical