Haemorheological behaviour of erythrocytes & risk factor profile in patients suffering from Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia.

The plasma viscosity, haematocrit, and erythrocyte aggregation and deformability of blood samples of patients of Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia were measured by capillary viscometer, microcentrifuge, Myrenne aggregometer and filtrometer respectively and correlated with the serum IgM concentrations. The observed increase in plasma viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation and decrease in their deformability were attributed to the increase in the concentration of IgM. Haematocrit was also decreased compared to normal subjects. Based on these parameters a haemorheological risk factor profile was developed and an overall risk factor calculated. An increase in the risk factor in these patients was observed. The haemorheological profile and the calculated risk factors not only help in establishing the inter-relationship of these parameters in the disease state but also to evaluate the severity of the disease.