Today, blood flow is being measured using a range of techniques from noninvasive methods such as doppler ultrasound to percutaneous methods like fractional flow reserve. However, these techniques relate to flow properties that are not inherent to the blood itself, but rather are of the vascular system as a whole. The parameter that dictates how well blood is inherently able to flow is Blood Viscosity. Blood Viscosity is defined as the resistance of
blood to flow. It varies widely from
person to person and is easily modifiable by pharmaceutical and medical device
interventions.
Cardiology
Viscosity determines the
blood’s ability to deliver oxygen to cells, tissues and organs throughout the
body. Thick blood not only starves
tissues of oxygen (ischemia) but also damages and inflames blood vessels (atherosclerosis). Blood Viscosity determines the oxygen perfusion rate of blood as well as the wall
shear stress- the tangential frictional force applied by the blood against
the vessel wall. Shear stress and frictional force play a central role in the formation and growth of plaque and plaque rupture.