[Adaptation to hypoxia in liver cirrhosis: the role of 2,3-DPG (author's transl)].

By observing a group of 20 patients with liver cirrhosis, we have clarified some features concerning the tissue hypoxia, which is often present in such a disease. By determining the levels of the haemoglobin and of the intraerythrocytic 2,3-DPG, and by evaluating the acid-base state of such patients, we have emphasized the increased output of the 2,3-DPG as mechanism of adaptation to hypoxia associated with hepatic cirrhosis, both in subjects with anemia and alkalosis and in subjects without anemia but with alkalosis.