Hemodilution: Theoretical Basis and Clinical Application

Hemodilution: Theoretical Basis and Clinical Application contains the collected papers and discussion of an international workshop symposium on hemodilution held at Rottach—Egern, Tegernsee, Germany, on Oct 3 through 6, 1971. The book is divided into four main sections: (1) rheology of blood, (2) effect of colloid on microcirculatory flow and transcapillary exchange, (3) hemodynamic significance of blood viscosity changes, and (4) clinical application of hemodilution. The section on rheology begins with an excellent review article on the present state of this field by S. Chien, and discusses the important concept of relative viscosity or apparent relative viscosity (viscosity of whole blood divided by the viscosity of plasma). This concept underscores the important contribution of red blood cells to whole blood viscosity in considering the various aspects of hemodilution. Contributions to relative viscosity are (1) red blood cell (RBC) concentration (hematocrit [Hct] levels), (2) RBC deformability, and (3) RBC aggregation.