Microcirculation and Hemorheology

Abstract

Major experimental and theoretical studies on microcirculation and hemorheology are reviewed with the focus on mechanics of blood flow and the vascular wall. Flow of the blood formed elements (red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells or leukocytes (WBCs) and platelets) in individual arterioles, capillaries and venules, and in microvascular networks is discussed. Mechanical and rheological properties of the formed elements and their interactions with the vascular wall are reviewed. Short-term and long-term regulation of the microvasculature is discussed; the modes of regulation include metabolic, myogenic and shear-stress-dependent mechanisms as well as vascular adaptation such as angiogenesis and vascular remodeling.

Figure 1

A. India ink injected microvascular network of cat sartorius muscle. Area shown is approximately 3 cm × 5 cm. (Courtesy of I. Torres Filho). B. Microvascular cast of hamster cremaster muscle. Microfil was infused following perfusion with fluorescein conjugated to albumin (FITC-BSA). Microfil displaced FITC-BSA except in segments indicated by green fluorescence. Area shown is approximately 1.5 mm × 1.5 mm. (Courtesy of S. Segal).