Circulatory shock
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We studied hemorheological variables in ten consecutive patients with sepsis or septic shock. One patient with sepsis, eight with septic shock, and one with the toxic shock syndrome were included. The patients were studied during the first 3 days and the eighth day of their illness. ⋯ A decrease in RBC deformability was observed, due to changes in the RBC membrane. After 1 week, these changes had disappeared. The change in RBC deformability during the study period was significantly related to changes in the amount of dopamine administered.