Biophysical Characteristics of Erythrocytes during Acute Myocardial Infarction and Venous Thrombosis

Summary

The osmotic fragility (OF), density distribution (DDC) and electrophoretic mobility (EPM) of red blood cells were examined in groups of patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction (MI), arteriosclerotic heart disease and precordial pains (ASHD), and deep-vein thrombosis. In patients with acute MI there is a reduction in electric mobility which returns to normal range within 3 weeks. The slow RBCs were in no case slower than the slowest cells of a normal curve representing the oldest portion of the red cell population. In a definite percentage of these patients there are also changes in the OF and the DDC indicating a narrower cell population. These changes are apparently consequent to the disappearance of the slowest cells from the circulation. Mobility tests were done in buffered saline and after three washings. The cell mobility of normal patients was slowed after ½ to 1 hour incubation with the plasma of patients suffering from fresh MI. These results agree with the existence of plasma factors affecting the electric charge of RBCs. The mobility of red blood cells of patients with acute MI underwent incubation with normal plasma returned to normal. The cells of patients with ASHD and precordial pains show also a reduction in average mobility although in a lesser degree. The possibility that this group of patients suffer from micro-infarct not detected by the usual clinical tests, has been considered. Patients with deep-venous thrombosis show similar changes in cell mobility as patients with acute MI. A possible relation between reduced RBC electric mobility and thromboembolism among MI patients was suggested.

^* Present address: Medical Department “B”, Central Emek Hospital, Afula, Israel.

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