[Changes in erythrocytes, acid-base equilibrium and blood gases in acute thromboembolism of the aorta and major arteries].

The article deals with the analysis of the course of the disease, the postoperative period, and complications in 293 patients and the results of study of the red cell ultrastructure and the acid-base equilibrium and blood gas composition in 33 patients with thrombosis and embolism of the main limb arteries. It was shown that the blood, its red cells, is the system which is mainly affected by endotoxins and high concentrations of biologically active substances occurring in the blood flow. According to the form of the red cells (normocytes, echinocytes, spheroechinocytes) and the quantitative relationship the depth of the pathological process can be judged. Shifts of the acid-base equilibrium in the direction of metabolic acidosis is compensated by intensified lung ventilation. Metabolic alkalosis appears in advanced cases. The revealed shift should be taken into account in applying intensive therapy.