Abstract
Summary
Total red blood cell volume (using red cells tagged with methemoglobin as a tracer) and plasma volume (using Evans blue dye T-1824) of dogs in different types of shock have been determined. Decreases in total red cell and plasma volumes have been observed in anti-platelet serum shock. The decrease in the red cell volume was greater than of the plasma volume, while in histamine shock the reverse was observed. Assumption has been made that trapping of red cells explains the apparent hemodilution in the great blood vessels in anti-platelet serum shock. The degree of trapping of the red cells, was determined by the proportion of circulating methemoglobin before and after shock. Analysis of the results shows the greater importance of the consideration of absolute values of red cell and plasma volumes rather than the acceptance of results indicated by the hematocrit of the blood from the great vessels, for the interpretation of the pathogenesis of shock.
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