HEMORHEOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC-ALCOHOLISM

The aim of this study is to compare the values of hematologic and hemo rheologic parameters in preclinic alcoholists, i.e. without or with li mited liver damage (moderate steatosis in 38% of the cases), in basal conditions and after alcohol withdrawal for 30 days. In 21 alcoholists whole blood viscosity (WBV), whole blood filtration total time (TT), hematologic and biochemical blood tests were studied. The results show in basal condition an increase in WBV, TT and mean cell volume (MCV). After the period of abstention from alcohol WBV significantly decreas ed (P<0.025), TT became shorter (P<0.025), MCV significantly reduced ( P<0.025). The abnormalities of hemorheologic parameters in these alcoh olists may be attributable to the effect of alcohol itself, because in these subjects neither usual hemorheological risk factors nor chronic liver disease have been demonstrated and improvement of hemorheologic parameters appear after a period of alcohol abstention for 30 days wi thout any medical treatment. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.