👉 The American Fluid, also known as the "American Standard Fluid" or "AFL," is a standardized measure of blood viscosity developed by the American Society for Blood Products (ASBP) in the 1970s. It represents a specific consistency of blood that is used as a reference for measuring and comparing the thickness and flow properties of different blood types and conditions. The AFL is defined as a blood viscosity at which 50% of red blood cells are in their resting state and 50% are moving, providing a consistent benchmark for evaluating hemoconcentration, hematocrit levels, and the effects of various treatments on blood flow. This standardization is crucial for clinical diagnostics, transfusion medicine, and research, ensuring that measurements are reliable across different laboratories and settings.
