Rheological control preparations for tests of erythrocyte filterability

Abstract

An erythrocyte control preparation for quality assurance purposes would be of considerable value in rheological studies of erythrocyte filterability (deformability). Normal human erythrocytes stored at 4°C in citrate-phosphate-dextrose or saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol appeared to be rheologically stable for 4 weeks when tested using the Hemorheometre or Cell Transit Analyser but, after 2–3 weeks' storage, an increasing sub-population of pore clogging erythrocytes was detected by the St. George's Filtrometer. In contrast, a commercial preparation of stabilised human red blood cells (Coulter SH-RBC) was found to be more stable rheologically, as tested by all three instruments, for up to 6 weeks and thus has potential as a rheological control preparation.