Erythrocyte deformability in chronic renal failure

Abstract

Erythrocyte deformability was studied by filtration through silver membranes (nominal 5 µm diameter channels) and by laser diffractometry (Ektacytometer) in 30 non-dialysed patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) compared with 30 matched healthy controls. Patients with CRF showed impaired erythrocyte filterability, which correlated with the degree of renal failure, and a left shift of the Ektacytometer osmotic deformability profile in favour of lower osmolality. Subsequent analysis of 20 patients undergoing regular haemodialysis and 23 patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis showed, compared with matched controls, a complete or partial correction of the rheological abnormality. Impaired deformability may contribute to the shortened erythrocyte survival of patients with CRF.