Rheological properties of young and aged erythrocytes in chronic venous disease patients with varicose veins.

We hypothesize that heterogeneity in RBC rheology can be attributed not only to the aging process but also to various disease states. The present study aims at investigating the rheological properties of young and old RBC in chronic venous disease (CVD) patients. RBC were separated on the basis of their density. RBC rheology was assessed with Laser Optical Rotational Cell Analyzer. For medium and high shear stress elongation index (EI) of young RBC from CVD patients was significantly higher than of young cells from controls. The same was observed for the old cells. Threshold shear rate (THR) of young RBC from CVD patients was significantly higher than of young cells from controls indicating a decreased tendency towards the formation of aggregates and of their stability in CVD patients. The same situation was observed for the old cells. To sum up, the present study demonstrated that heterogeneity in RBC rheology is both affected by age and CVD. Additionally, CVD-induced changes in RBC rheology occur to different degrees among the subpopulations of young and old RBC. CVD patients subpopulations of RBC had higher deformability and increased tendency towards aggregates formation and of their stability when compared to appropriate subpopulations of controls.