Abstract
In the past there have been several meetings on white cell rheology. They were all centered on basic scientific problems and were mostly aimed at providing essential insights into the mechanical properties of white blood cells. However, knowledge has grown to a point where not only basic scientists but also clinicians have become interested. Hence the organizers felt that the time had come to sum up emerging clinical aspects of leukocyte rheology particularly in relation to microcirculatory ischaemia. The meeting was planned to stimulate discussion amongst scientists and clinicians involved in various fields of research, looking at white cells from different points of view.
Some of the basic facts that make leukocyte rheology a field of possible clinical importance are:
the internal viscosity of white cells is 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of red cells consequently they deform much slower than red cells even though outnumbered by red cells, they may be of equal or even greater importance for microcirculatory flow they can be shown to block capillaries temporarily or permanently under certain conditions they may be involved in so-called no-reflow phenomenon and play an important role in tissue ischemia they apparently influence (exercise) hemodynamics in healthy subjects epidemiological studies identify the white cell count as an independent primary cardiovascular risk factor their mechanical behavior may be altered by drugs What is the best method to isolate leukocytes from blood samples without interfering with their function? Which tests are best suited to study their rheological behavior (filtration, aggregation, adhesion)? In which clinical situation are the rheological characteristics of white cells abnormal? What is the pathophysiological significance of this? What are the influences of drugs?
During the intense and fruitful discussions of the meeting a variety of problems were identified. To mention just a few:
The multidisciplinary approach turned out to be helpful. There was a general consensus amongst the participants that much can be learnt from the juxtaposition of existing data from different fields. Clearly white cell rheology is a young field with many unanswered questions. At the same time is moving fast and of great potential importance for circulatory diseases. This is reflected in the following summaries of the meeting which we hope will be a stimulus to this most interesting new branch of hemorheology.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.