[Observation on red cell deformability in patients with cor pulmonale]

The measurement of red cell deformability index (RCDI) was made in 29 patients with cor pulmonale and 31 persons of normal controls, at the same time blood gas values and plasma osmolarity were also measured. The results were as follows: (1) The RCDI of patients with acute respiratory and cardiac failure especially with respiratory encephalopathy was significantly lower than that of patient in stable conditions and normal controls. There was no significant difference in RCDI between patients in stable conditions and controls. (2) The PaO2 and pH (in a range of 7.31-7.39) were positively correlated with RCDI. There was no significant difference in RCDI between patients with normal plasma osmolarity and those with abnormal one. We suggested that this might contribute to the increase in pulmonary arterial pressure; and that the hypoxemia and acidosis might play an important role in decrease of RCDI.