Effects of temperature and haematocrit on the relationships between blood flow velocity and blood flow in a vessel of fixed diameter

Abstract

To determine whether temperature and haematocrit (Hct) alter the relationship between blood flow (BF) and blood flow velocity (BFV). Using a transcranial Doppler apparatus, we measured the peak velocity of whole blood cells pumped by a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit, through a 0.15-cm internal diameter segment of rigid tubing. BF and BFV relationships were obtained at temperatures of 19, 28, and 37 degrees C and at Hct of 0.05, 0.22, 0.39, and 0.54, by altering CPB flow over a range from 10 to 100 cc/min. Linear regression analysis was performed. The relationship between velocity and flow for the pooled Hct data was y=(0.43)x+0.86, r2=0.998 and 95% CI (0.999-1) whereas the association for the temperature data was y=(0.42)x+0.02, r2=0.9998 and 95% CI (0.999-0.9997). Changes of blood viscosity had no effect on velocity at a given flow rate. The combined effect of Hct and temperature on velocity for the relationship with flow is expressed by: y=1.3+2.4x. In fixed diameter vessels with laminar flow, the linear relationship between flow and velocity is not affected by changes in temperature and Hct in clinical ranges. These results are explained by the Fahraeus-Lindquist effect. They support the use of transcranial Doppler sonography to estimate cerebral blood flow in infants who may have large variations of Hct and/or temperature during bypass.