[The effect of ethanol on the deformability and the rheological properties of erythrocytes (author's transl)].

The rheological properties of human erythrocytes were investigated after incubation in ethanol-containing suspensions. Ethanol concentrations were adjusted to the blood ethanol level reached in severe alcohol intoxication. Red cell deformability was measured by the filterability and by viscosimetry of suspended erythrocytes. Red cell deformability becomes significantly decreased by ethanol addition to the suspending media in close connection with the increased osmolarity of the solution. The influence of these alterations on blood viscosity and microcirculation in shocked and non-shocked patients suffering from alcohol intoxication is discussed.