Importance of capillary perfusion.
Perfusion is more critical than oxygen in the maintenance of cell viability. A high hematocrit or high fibrinogen level increases blood viscosity and predisposes to disseminated intravascular coagulation. It is recommended that a hematocrit of about 30 be maintained in periods of circulatory stress such as shock or extracorporeal circulation.
D000818:Animals; D001775:Blood Circulation; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D002196:Capillaries / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000209:etiology; D004285:Dogs; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D012769:Shock / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology