Hemorrheological changes in chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis and their relations to the syndromes differentiated by traditional Chinese medicine.

ABSTRACT

Blood and plasma viscosity, hematocrit and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were examined in 146 cases of chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. In addition, blood fibrinogen and blood flow of the tongue and skin were studied in 123 and 46 of them respectively. The same indices were observed in 39 cases before and after treatment. The results showed definite hemorrheological patterns in different syndromes and therapeutic efficacy was also correlated with the changes in the mentioned indices. Thus it is believed that these indices of hemorrheology may serve as supplementary means for the differentiation of syndromes, evaluation of therapeutic effect and prognosis in chronic liver diseases.