[Improvement of the flow properties of the blood of patients by low-molecular hydroxyethyl starch (Expafusin)].

10 patients with various diseases causing elevated ESR-values and impaired flow properties of blood received infusions of 500 ml of low molecular weight hydroxyethylstarch (HES 6%, Expafusin) within approximately 30 minutes. Measurements of rheological parameters for several hours after infusion showed a statistically significant decrease of apparent whole blood viscosity and of plasma viscosity. RBC aggregation was slightly, but statistically significantly reduced, whereas RBC filterability remained unchanged. These data obtained with blood from patients with altered flow properties of blood agree very well with former results obtained in healthy volunteers.