Evaluation of sickle cell aggregation by ultrasound backscattering
Michel Boynard, M. Razavian, Y. Beuzardz · Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation · 1988
The aggregation state of sickle cells was studied as a function of oxygen partial pressure, with ultrasound backscattering. The ultrasonic backscattering coefficient χ , which depends on the size of the aggregates, is highly correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Sickle cells (SS) in their plasma present a χ variation versus pO 2 similar to the variation of the sickling curve. These results suggest that sickling prevent aggregation of sickle cells.