On the therapy of disturbances of blood fluidity

Physiology and pathophysiology of blood fluidity are reviewed focussing the clinical relevance of the different hyperviscosity syndromes with particular respect to the microcirculation and thromboembolic complications. A new therapeutical approach is presented with pentoxifylline, a drug which largely satisfies the complex requirements of a compound affecting most of the determinants of disturbed blood fluidity. The presented data of the multifunctional pharmacological properties of pentoxifylline on blood components and vessel wall suggest this drug as indicated for the treatment of the disorders of blood fluidity linked with many diseases. Its antihemostasiological and antithrombotic potential also offers the facility for prevention of postoperative thrombotic events and in vessel surgery to avoid reocclusion.