Rheological changes in the blood of patients with chronic arterial occlusive disease after the administration of vasoactive drugs.

Patients with chronic arterial occlusive disease were found to have higher blood and plasma viscosity levels than healthy controls. Measurements were taken at high and low shear rates. Blood and plasma viscosity in these patients was significantly reduced following parental administration of pentoxifyline, and this effect was particularly pronounced at low shear rates. The changes recorded after administriation of bencyclane did not follow a consistent pattern. There was no significant correlation between the rheological changes measured and changes in plasma protein fractions.