[A study of erythrocyte deformability using an ektacytometer in normal adults and in patients with acute cerebral infarction].

We studied the erythrocytes deformability with an ektacytometer made in China in 55 normal adults and in 22 patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI). The results showed that sex has no influence upon the deformability of RBC in normal adults. The deformability of RBC decreases with the age, but there is no significant difference between different age groups. The deformability of RBC in ACI decreases obviously. It may be one of the factors that increase the whole blood viscosity in ACI. The measurement of RBC deformability with ektacytometer is simple, fast and only 20u mu whole blood needed. The ektacytometer is a valuable tool in experimental and clinical researches.