[Hemorrheologic aspects of congestive heart insufficiency]

Congestive heart failure is characterized by increased blood volume and abnormal salt and water retention behind one or both ventricles and restricted systemic blood perfusion. Blood hyperviscosity, as one of the two major determinants of the overall resistance, also contributes significantly to the lowering of blood flow in the macrocirculation and microcirculation. The observed loss of the red cell deformability together with higher plasma viscosity and suggested increase on the aggregation of red cells, might be important factors determining blood hyperviscosity, therefore contributing for pathological situations of hypoperfusion or intravascular stagnation.