[Hemorrheologic Findings in Severe Gestosis]

On the basis of the hemorrheologic and hemodynamic data of 30 severe gestoses the importance of rheology in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions is discussed. It was found that the gestoses can occur with a variety of clinical phenomena (HELLP syndrome, hypervolemic gestosis). The classic picture comprises hemoconcentration, increased erythrocyte aggregation, low central venous pressure and low-normal cardiac output with increased blood viscosity. Depending on the condition of the microcirculation, laboratory values can fluctuate considerably. The mean antithrombin-III value was not subnormal, but the fibronectin value was high. The causes of the increased fibronectin values are still not clear. It seemed important that with a hematocrit of over 38% and an erythrocyte aggregation over 28(-) there was a high probability of the fetus being at risk. Erythrocyte deformability is reduced. The reasons for this still have to be identified. Changes in the ion transport system on the erythrocyte membrane, with accumulation of sodium and calcium inside the cell, are discussed. Additionally, leukocytosis causes an impairment of blood flow characteristics.