The epinephric content of the blood in conditions of low blood pressure and “shock.”

Abstract

The following is a brief record of experiments undertaken to determine whether in low blood pressure there is an increased activity of the adrenals.

Dr. Alfred R. Allen, who presented before this society the results of an experimental study of the condition of the Purkinje cells in low blood pressure and shock, stated in conversation with the authors that he found marked histological changes in the adrenals under similar conditions. In the present series of experiments an attempt has been made to answer the question both qualitatively and within limits, quantitatively by an examination of the blood of animals (dogs) taken from the adrenal vein, before and after a more or less prolonged condition of low blood pressure.

In order that blood from the adrenal might be obtained undiluted by the general venous blood, all veins, except the inferior mesenteric and the left adrenal, entering the vena cava for some distance on either side of the adrenal vein were ligatured. Through the inferior mesenteric a canula was inserted into the vena cava, in such a way that the flow of blood in the vena cava was unobstructed. At the time of drawing blood, the vena cava above and below the entrance of the adrenal vein was closed by clamps, having rubber protected jaws. The first blood, that in the enclosed segment of the vena cava, was discarded.

Care was taken to measure the rate of flow in order to eliminate the possibility that results obtained might be due to a greater concentration of epinephrin, because of a less rapid flow of blood through the organ, although its activity might not be increased. At the beginning of the experiment, blood to be used as control was taken from the jugular vein.