Emergency conditions are generally associated with changes in blood rheology due to
a systemic “acute-phase” reaction occurring within hours of the acute event. The acute-phase
reaction includes changes in plasma protein patterns as well as in red cell properties.
The deterioration of blood flow properties thus resulting is usually moderate and
reversible. On the other hand, there are emergency situations caused or at least seriously
aggravated by severe changes in blood rheology: circulatory shock, hyperviscosity
syndromes, sickle cell crisis, and preeclampsia. In these conditions, special rheological
therapeutic measures have to be taken into consideration.
Hemorheology - blood viscosity - acute-phase reaction - shock - red cell aggregation
