Postoperative Changes in Blood Viscosity and the lnfluence of Plasma Fibrinogen

Abstract

Plasma relative viscosity using Ostwalt capillary viscometer and plasma fibrinogen levels were determined in ten patients who had major surgical operations during preoperative and postoperative first, third and sixth days. The plasma viscosity was found to be significantly higher on postoperative third day while the increase observed in plasma fibrinogen levels were significant both on postoperative first and third days. The values returned to preoperative levels on sixth postoperative day. These results suggested that the changes in other plasma protein levels may also be responsible tor the increase of plasma viscosity.