Influence of erythrocyte anisocytosis on filterability through 3 µm diameter pores

Abstract

Erythrocyte filterability through pores of nominal 3 µm diameter was studied in 37 patients with microcytosis secondary to iron depletion. The index of filtration (IF) was dependent on both the mean cell volume (MCV) and the degree of anisocytosis (red cell volume distribution width; RDW) of the erythrocyte suspension. A significant correlation (r = 0.78, p < 0.001) was found between IF and MCV + 1.62 RDW. When microcytosis is associated with anisocytosis, subpopulations of relatively large microcytes may have a disproportionate effect on filterability through 3µm diameter pores.