Rheological studies on patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH)

Hypertension during pregnancy is a disorder which is associated with high maternal and foetal morbidity. Whilst the aetiology remains unknown, a generalized microcirculatory disorder must be presumed as a joint pathophysiological fundamental concept. Vascular, haemorheological and haemostasiological disorders are combined here. For the haemorheological changes, the reduction in plasma volume along with haemoconcentration and pathological erythrocyte aggregation stands out as a significant factor. The overall flow behavior of the blood is impaired, whereby leucocytosis is of particular significance in cases of PIH. A series of observations exist which closely connect rheological changes with the foetal state. No conclusive statement can as yet be made as to the extent to which erythrocyte deformability is impaired, due to the highly susceptible laboratory procedures.