What does hemorheology testing examine?

Generally, hemorheological testing includes parameters such as whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, hematocrit, red blood cell deformability, and red blood cell aggregation.

1. Whole Blood Viscosity: Reflects the overall viscosity of blood and is influenced by multiple factors including hematocrit, red blood cell deformability, red blood cell aggregation, and plasma viscosity. Elevated whole blood viscosity is commonly seen in diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, as well as in hematologic disorders like polycythemia and macroglobulinemia.

2. Plasma Viscosity: Primarily determined by the protein content in plasma, especially large-molecule proteins such as fibrinogen and globulin. Increased plasma viscosity is often observed in conditions such as multiple myeloma, primary macroglobulinemia, and hyperfibrinogenemia.

3. Hematocrit: Refers to the volume percentage of red blood cells in the blood, reflecting both the number and volume of red blood cells. Elevated hematocrit is commonly seen in hemoconcentration caused by various factors.

4. Red Blood Cell Deformability: Reduced red blood cell deformability can increase resistance to blood flow and impair microcirculatory perfusion. It is commonly seen in inherited disorders such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, as well as in chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension that cause damage to the red blood cell membrane.

5. Red Blood Cell Aggregation: Enhanced red blood cell aggregation leads to the formation of aggregates, slowing blood flow. It is commonly observed during the prodromal or active stages of thrombotic diseases such as coronary atherosclerotic heart disease and cerebral infarction, as well as in stress states such as infection and trauma.

Hemorheological testing, as an auxiliary diagnostic tool, provides valuable information for clinical diagnosis, treatment, and disease monitoring.