Erythrocyte flow and elasticity of microvessels evaluated by marginal cell-free layer and flow resistance

The thickness of the marginal cell-free layer and the diameter of capillaries from rabbit vascular beds were analyzed to determine the flow dynamics of erythrocytes in elastic (E) and hardened (H) microvessels. The flow dynamics of erythrocytes were affected by the elasticity of the vessel walls of capillaries. The linear flow of erythrocytes, inner diameter of the microvessels and hematocrit also influenced the formation of the cell-free layer by erythrocytes in the inner wall of the microvessels.