Determination of erythrocyte aggregation

Abstract

One of the most common health criteria – erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) – is considered in the paper. It is shown that the simple model presented, based on the generalized Stokes formula, the blood volume conservation law, and the Smoluchowski theory of particles coagulation, makes it possible, on the basis of experimentally recorded sedimentation curves, to identify quantitatively the values of the essential physical parameters of the coupled processes of erythrocyte aggregation and sedimentation. The analytical solution of Smoluchowski equation is used to evaluate the sedimentation and aggregation rate constants. The problem of determining the erythrocyte aggregation rate (EAR) is transformed to a minimization task in which only the experimental results for ESR are needed. Experimentally ESR is measured accurately enough by using an equipment set up just for the purpose. This method of identification could be used as a diagnostic test in hematological laboratories.