Red cell deformability: physiological, clinical and pharmacological aspects.

Twenty five thousand billions of red cells circulate through 300 miles of capillary network. The red cell diameter is 7 to 8 microns and the capillary diameter 3 to 5 micron. Red cells deformability is therefore an essential condition for survival. It is impaired in a certain number of clinical conditions. A French task force, covering 40 University Hospitals, is presently investigating the clinical implications of red cell filterability, and its possible therapeutical consequences.