DECREASED RED-BLOOD-CELL MEMBRANE DEFORMABILITY IN SMOKERS AND NONSMOKERS WITH ATHEROSCLEROSIS

This study determined whether the extent of atherosclerotic plaque bui ldup, smoking history, or serum cholesterol level could be correlated with red cell membrane deformability as determined by the micropipette aspiration technique. Smoking and non-smoking subjects 40 to 70 years old were grouped by atherosclerotic plaque thickness. A 50% increase (p less-than-or-equal-to 0.01) in red cell membrane shear elastic modu lus was seen in the advanced atherosclerosis group (plaque thickness = 2.0 - 4.0 mm). This increase was independent of the smoking history o f the subjects. An increase in shear elastic modulus indicates a decre ase in red blood cell membrane deformability. Other variables tested i ncluding age and serum cholesterol level were not significantly correl ated with red blood cell shear elastic modulus. Such changes in red ce ll deformability may play an important role in the pathophysiology of vascular occlusion and cerebral ischemia in patients with carotid arte ry atherosclerosis.