[Blood sedimentation--hemorheology in general practice].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the principle, measuring procedures and clinical information yield of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate with particular consideration of hemorrheological aspects.


METHODS
ESR is a well established procedure with a checkered past which continues to be of considerable importance for screening purposes. Although the ESR is easy to carry out, the physical phenomena on which it is based are highly complicated. The measured value obtained is determined by a number of interacting factors. What is not well known is the fact that, in principle, it is a hemorrheological procedure. Numerous sources of error capable of affecting the ESR value must be taken into account.


CONCLUSIONS
More recent developments suggest that ESR will continue to be of considerable value as a simple and inexpensive screening procedure.
Ernst
E
E
Universitätsklinik für Physikalische Medizin und Rehabilitation, Allgemeines Krankenhaus, Wien.
D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000502:physiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D012016:Reference Values
D001798:Blood Proteins