The influence of iron-deficient indices on whole blood viscosity in polycythaemia

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Abstract
The relationship of the red‐cell indices, packed‐cell volume (PCV) and plasma viscosity to whole‐blood viscosity was examined in 18 patients with polycythaemia. Sixteen were examined again following a course of venesection. The results were analysed by multiple regression analysis which allowed the effects of individual variables to be independently assessed. A reduction of the MCH or MCV was associated with increased whole‐blood viscosity especially at low‐shear rates. It is concluded that the reduced size of iron‐deficient cells results in increased cell‐cell interaction causing an increase in whole‐blood viscosity.