[Rheology of the blood during treatment of hypertension with xipamide (author's transl)].

The possible effect of xipamide on flow properties of blood were studied in groups of eight patients each with essential hypertension. It was demonstrated that 10 mg xipamide (a long-acting diuretic) given daily had no deleterious effect on flow property, while 20 mg daily produced a haemoconcentration which negatively affected it, apparently in relation to the urine volume excreted per unit time. At higher dosages the effect on blood flow properties was shifted in time, which indicates that the increased diuresis in the first day leads to a cumulative effect on the flow properties of the blood. Erythrocyte deformability was not affected. It is possible that combined preparations which contain a diuretic should be specially examined with respect to any undesirable effect on flow properties of the blood.