The history of the theory of the circulation of the blood.

An obvious candidate for the seminal event in the history of haemorheology is Harvey's presentation of the concept of the circulation of the blood. Prior to this, the ideas concerning the movement of blood were based, in Europe and Middle East, largely on the principles laid down by Galen, and these had been, in effect, dogma for nearly a millennium and a half. These principles were basically that blood is formed in the liver, thence it travels to the bodily organs and is consumed -hence there is one-way flow and no circulation of the blood at all.

RBC aggregation: laboratory data and models.

The reversible aggregation of red blood cells (RBC) into linear and three-dimensional structures continues to be of basic science and clinical interest: RBC aggregation affects low shear blood viscosity and microvascular flow dynamics, and can be markedly enhanced in several clinical states. Until fairly recently, most research efforts were focused on relations between suspending medium composition (i.e.

Blood viscosity and its relationship to iron deficiency, symptoms, and exercise capacity in adults with cyanotic congenital heart disease.

Objectives: This study sought to determine the relationship between blood viscosity and iron deficiency and their impact on symptoms and exercise function in adults with cyanotic congenital heart disease.

Background: Iron deficiency is believed to raise whole blood viscosity in cyanotic congenital heart disease, although available data are inconsistent.

Methods: Thirty-nine cyanotic adults were prospectively assessed for iron deficiency (transferrin saturation < or =5%), hyperviscosity symptoms, and exercise capacity.