Hypervolemic short-time hemodilution: Longtime observation of hemorheological parameters

Abstract

In a series 43 patients suffering from cerebral or peripheral diseases were investigated over a period of 3 days after a single hypervolemic hemodilution with 500ml low molecular weight dextran (Rheomacrodex^®) applied within 3 hours. Changes in hematocrit, visco-elasticity of whole blood and plasma viscosity were studied.

18 to 36 hours after onset of infusion a significant increase in plasma viscosity ( $\mathit{p}⩽0.001$ ) and elasticity ( $\mathit{p}⩽0.01$ ) could be observed. Furthermore, there was a tendency towards higher hematocrit and whole blood viscosity levels. However, after 60 hours a second lower numerical peak for hematocrit and viscosity of whole blood could be seen, which was yet above starting values.