Blood rheology in patients suffering from pressure sores

Eleven patients suffering from pressure sores were compared to eleven matched controls, free of this complication. Blood rheology was quantified by means of blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, hematocrit, total white blood cell count, blood cell filterability and red cell aggregation. Results show that native blood viscosity is reduced in pressure sore patients due to significantly lower hematocrit levels. The total white cell count is significantly elevated in this group. Other rheological parameters reveal no significant difference compared to controls. It is concluded that bulk blood viscosity seems not to contribute to the malfunction of the skin microcirculation in pressure sores. However, white cells might play an unrecognized role, which merits further investigation.