Blood viscosity and optimal hematocrit in narrow tubes

Abstract

Blood viscosity in normal adults was measured in glass tubes with diameters of 50, 100 and 500 μm for a wide range of adjusted feed hematocrits (15-70%). Blood viscosity decreased at each of the adjusted feed hematocrits when going from a 500-μm tube to a 50-μm tube. The viscosity reduction increased with increasing hematocrit. The steepness in the hematocrit-viscosity curves decreased with decreasing tube diameter. Erythrocyte transport efficiency (hematocrit / blood viscosity) was calculated to estimate the optimal hematocrit for oxygen transport. Optimal hematocrit averaged 38% in 500-μm tubes, 44% in 100-μm tubes and 51% in 50-μm tubes. Our results suggest that the strong Fåhraeus-Lindqvist effect at high hematocrits may help to maintain oxygen transport in polycythemic patients as long as the driving pressure is sufficient.