A Double-blind Placebo Controlled Crossover Study in Patients With Peripheral Vascular Diseases, Using a New Capillary Viscometer

Abstract

A viscometer was developed to measure the viscosity of vital blood plasma, serum and other human body fluids without using any additives. A placebo-controlled cross-over study was performed in 20 patients with peripheral vascular arteriosclerosis after repeated infusions of the vasoactive substance Isoxsuprin. Blood viscosity, hematocrit and fibrinogen were measured before infusion and after 60 and 90 min on each treatment day. Differences were found. All vasoactive substances should be checked for their viscosity-lowering effect before being used for therapeutic purposes.