[Rheologic effects of normovolemic hemodilution]

The effect of normovolemic hemodilution on blood viscosity has been studied in 79 patients with arterial obstruction in the lower extremities. It has been established that 21 to 25% hemodilution (which corresponds to hematocrit level of 0.34-0.36 l/l) was optimal for the correction of blood viscosity abnormalities. With this hemodilution level, the oxygen transport index reflecting blood oxygen transport function reached its maximum approaching the values of healthy persons. The most marked hemodilution effect was observed with slow shift rate.