[Mechanisms of blood rheological disorders and their role in the progression of chronic obstructive bronchitis].

In patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis, the rheological blood properties progressively deteriorate as the pulmonary insufficiency increases. These disorders are mainly caused by enhancement of red cell aggregation. The most remarkable disorders of the blood viscosity, e. g. the pathologically high viscosity syndrome, are recorded in patients with associated decompensated cor pulmonale and secondary erythrocytosis because of the hemoconcentration effect. Besides, the increase in the blood viscosity is dependent on the reduction in the propulsive capacity of the myocardium and acid-base unbalance. The role of the disorders of the blood viscosity in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension is discussed.