Spontaneous variations of the hematocrit value in chronic bronchopneumopathic patients under medical treatment.

Haematocrit values were studied in chronic bronchitis patients receiving medical treatment during hospitalisation. Both decreases and increases were noted. Statistically significant, they may be regarded as spontaneous, since they occurred in the absence of depletion management. Furthermore, they offer better prognosis for respiratory insufficiency, since they are a pointer to better wash distribution, probably attributable to diminished alveolar hypertension.