[Significance of hemorheological parameters within the framework of chronic brain disease]

Blood filtration and viscosity were investigated in 32 patients with severe mental deterioration classified on the basis of standard criteria. The group included 17 patients with 'vascular' and 15 with 'cellular' pathogenesis. The results of the study were compared with the data from a large series of 'normal' subjects. Reduced erythrocyte filtration was observed in 70.5% of the patients with vascular pathogenesis and in only 6.6% of those with degenerative conditions. The data on blood viscosity showed less connection between pathological conditions and hemorheological alterations. It is suggested that hemorheological alterations might contribute to the pathogenesis of certain clinical forms of chronic cerebropathy. It is therefore proposed that hemorheological tests should be included among the diagnostic procedures applied to such patients and might also be used in order to establish the appropriate treatment.