Blood Viscosity Changes Following Surgical Stress and Trauma.

Studies were conducted 1 To define the types of whole blood, plasma and packed cell viscosity changes occurring following surgical stress and trauma, to relate these changes to metabolic derangements associated with such states, and to define the effects of cellular aggregation and disaggregation on these variables. 2 To serve as testing laboratory for Surgical Division, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, in evaluation of metabolic and blood physico-chemical effects of plasma expanders. 3 To determine the role of pulmonary microembolism associated with massive blood transfusion in development of pulmonary insufficiency.