title: Limited effects of activated protein C on red blood cell deformability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alterations of the microcirculation are common in critically ill patients and persistence of these alterations is associated with poor outcome. Infusion of high doses of activated protein C can ameliorate the microcirculation. Because red blood cells (RBCs) play an essential role in oxygen transport to the tissues, we studied the effects of activated protein C on RBC deformability in septic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  RBC deformability, assessed by ektacytometry (LORCA system) for shear stresses between 0.30 and 50 Pa, was compared in healthy volunteers and in septic patients before and during activated protein C infusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RBC deformability was altered in septic patients compared to healthy volunteers. RBC deformability improved transiently during activated protein C infusion for shear stresses of 4.89 and 7.78 Pa, but the elongation index increased by just 3.4 and 3.2%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RBC deformability was altered in sepsis. Activated protein C had no clinically relevant effects on RBC deformability as assessed using ektacytometry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care, Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piagnerelli
authors.forename: Hassane
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Njimi
authors.forename: Tatiana Veloso
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reggiori
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Castanares Zapatero
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Donadello
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Vincent
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004907:Erythrocyte Deformability / Q000502:physiology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D011486:Protein C / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011486:Protein C