Thermal haemolytic threshold of human erythrocytes.
Haemolytic thermal threshold of human erythrocytes has been determined by means of an especially designed microwave apparatus. Temperatures between 50 and 55 degrees C are necessary to produce an initial haemolysis of erythrocytes in the whole blood, while the thermal threshold drops to 37 degrees C for red blood cells suspended in buffered saline. Absorbed energy measurements permit the conclusion that the haemolytic effect is thermal in nature.