Effect of hemodialysis on the deformability and lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes in chronic renal failure.

Deformability and lipid peroxidation (LP) have been compared in erythrocytes of 45 chronic hemodialysis patients and 30 healthy subjects. The relative cell transit time (RCTT), correlating negatively to deformability, was measured using a St. George filtrometer. Thiobarbituric acid reactive material was measured and expressed as nanomoles of malondialdehyde (MDA) per gram of hemoglobin as a marker of LP. RCTT and MDA were found to be significantly higher not only before but also after HD compared with controls. Weak negative correlations were found between RCTT and the dosage of EPO as well as between RCTT and the daily amount of urine. These observations indicate the importance of residual renal function and the beneficial effect of EPO on erythrocyte deformability. The mean values of results suggest that HD does not affect the erythrocyte injury. The individual modifications of RCTT and MDA are also discussed.

A comparative study of hemorheological parameters in transient ischemic attack and acute ischemic stroke patients: possible predictive value.

A complete neurological and laboratory assessment was made of 31 transient ischemic attack (TIA) and 33 acute ischemic stroke patients. Laboratory parameters were compared with 33 age- and sex-matched controls. Erythrocyte deformability was characterised by determining the relative cell transit time (RCTT) with a St. George filtrometer. Plasma viscosity was measured with a Haake microviscosimeter. In comparison with controls, fibrinogen content, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), platelet and leukocyte count, erythrocyte RCTT and plasma viscosity were found to be significantly higher in stroke patients. In TIA patients the elevation of these values was not significant with the exception of platelet count. Our results suggest that the hemorheological alterations observed in TIA and stroke are largely non-specific findings and associated with the atherosclerotic disease of patients. The significant elevation of leukocytes, fibrinogen and plasma viscosity in acute stroke versus TIA probably reflects the systemic acute phase response of organism to cerebral infarction.