[Adaptive reactions of the erythrocytes in the evaluation of physical work capacity in patients with tetralogy of Fallot]. / Adaptatsionnye reaktsii eritrotsitov v otsenke fizicheskoi rabotosposobnosti bol'nykh s tetradoi Fallo

One of the leading factors affecting the functional state of the red blood system is arterial hypoxemia. Under such conditions signs of polycythemia are known to appear. At the same time, changes in the quality characteristics of the blood develop in patients with congenital heart diseases (tetralogy of Fallot including). Therefore a study of the physical rehabilitation as a total functional index may describe the adaptation of the body to hypoxemia, the variants and stages of its development. For this purpose the red blood parameters were examined (the content of hemoglobin, the erythrocyte count and their diameter) and the tolerance of physical exercises was tested by ergometry. The data were analyzed with due regard of the age of the patients and the reduction of their capacity for work, as compared to the due level. Stage 1 reduction of the capacity for work was found in patients with high red blood parameters. In groups of patients with Stage 2, 3 and especially 4 reduction of working capacity the red blood indices were significantly reduced. A distinct correlation was revealed between the erythrocyte count and their diameter, on the one hand, and the capacity for work, on the other.