Hyperviscosity syndromes; hemorheology for physicians and the use of microfluidic devices

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Jamie O. Musick, Emory University; Kirby Fibben, Emory University; Wilbur Lam, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-07-18
• Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
• Final Published Version (URL): https://doi.org/10.1097/MOH.0000000000000735
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Current Opinion in Hematology
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 6
• Start Page: 290
• End Page: 296
• Grant/Funding Information: Financial support for this work was provided by National Institutes of Health grants 5T32HL139443-03 (to J.O.M.), R01HL140589 (to W.A.L.), and R35HL145000 (to W.A.L.).
• Keywords: point of care; lab on a chip; microfluidic technology; hemorheology; hyperviscosity syndromes
• Research Categories: Engineering, Biomedical; Health Sciences, Health Care Management

Abstract

Purpose of review Hyperviscosity syndromes can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Existing methods to measure microcirculatory rheology are not readily available and limited in relevance and accuracy at this level. In this review, we review selected hyperviscosity syndromes and the advancement of their knowledge using microfluidic platforms. Recent findings Viscosity changes drastically at the microvascular level as the physical properties of the cells themselves become the major determinants of resistance to blood flow. Current, outdated viscosity measurements only quantify whole blood or serum. Changes in blood composition, cell number, or the physical properties themselves lead to increased blood viscosity. Given the significant morbidity and mortality from hyperviscosity syndromes, new biophysical tools are needed and being developed to study microvascular biophysical and hemodynamic conditions at this microvascular level to help predict those at risk and guide therapeutic treatment. Summary The use of “lab-on-a-chip” technology continues to rise to relevance with point of care, personalized testing and medicine as customizable microfluidic platforms enable independent control of many in vivo factors and are a powerful tool to study microcirculatory hemorheology.