Human leucocyte rheology and tissue ischaemia

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Abstract
Reports suggest that white blood cells are involved in the development of tissue ischaemia. No studies on leukocyte rheology in the earliest stages of ischaemia exist. In 10 peripheral vascular disease (PVD) patients, 10 stable angina pectoris (SAP) patients and two groups of 10 matched controls leukocytes were separated by density and adherence into their granulocyte, lymphocyte and monocyte subpopulations. Blood samples were taken from the PVD group and respective controls before and after treadmill exercise (5 min 2 km-1 h-1, 12% slope) and from the SAP patients and controls before and after cycle ergometer test (25 W every 3 min). All the subpopulations were filtered through five micron diameter pore filters. Compared to controls, calf pain in the PVD patients was associated with an increase in monocyte filterability (P < 0.01). ST depression in the SAP patients was linked to impaired granulocyte filterability (P < 0.04). Therefore leukocyte rheology appears impaired in the earliest stages of ischaemia.