Trauma of the erythrocyte membrane associated with low shear stress.

Studies have been performed on erythrocytes that have been subjected to a low shear stress of less than 100 dyn/cm(2) in a cone-and-plate viscometer. Alterations that were observed included decreased red cell survival, increased osmotic fragility, changes in the cation permeability of the red cell membrane, and a reduction in membrane-associated acetylcholinesterase activity. Some of these alterations are similar to those accompanying aging. The observed data suggest that one segment of the erythrocyte population is more susceptible to shear-induced damage than the rest of the cells.