Hemodynamics of Capillary Networks in Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract

ObjectiveSickle cell disease (SCD) is a complex hereditary blood disorder that can significantly affect the rheological properties of patients. Researches on the change of the rheological properties of blood and hemodynamics in a single capillary vessel have been carried out in recent three decades. The target of this work is to explore the hemodynamic behavior of diseased capillary networks based on anatomical data, in order to provide advice on the generation and prevention of the vaso‐occlusive crisis of patients with sickle cell disease.MethodIn this work, we use numerical simulations to calculate the sickle RBC velocity, blood hematocrit and blood viscosity in capillary bifurcations and networks based on mesenteric anatomical data. Then, the model predictions are discussed with reported clinical manifestations and compared with normal networks.ResultsThe predictions from our simulations show agreement with clinical manifestations. Compared with the properties of normal capillary networks, the blood flow in diseased micro vessel networks has 10%–25% larger hematocrit, slower RBC velocity and larger blood viscosity, which can lead to the vaso‐occlusive crisis and the pain of patients with sickle cell disease.ConclusionsThis study helps us to understand the blood flow properties of capillary networks of patients with sickle cell disease, and may help us to prevent the vaso‐occlusive crisis. To improve our study, we can use capillary networks from the diseased part of sickle cell patients instead.Support or Funding InformationThis research is supported by Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Institution (China) Grant JCYJ20160427170536358 (Y Huo).This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.