Blood Viscosity Changes Following Surgical Stress and Trauma.
Abstract
Extensive research has been accomplished to define the association between pulmonary microembolism associated with blood transfusion and the induction of post-traumatic pulmonary insufficiency. Administration of microaggregate-rich transfusions to dogs caused pulmonary insufficiency of varying severity. The principal defect was an increase in pulmonary arteriovenous shunting. These effects were prevented by insertion in the transfusion line of dacron wool micropore blood transfusion filters. Further studies were also accomplished in postoperative patients to determine the relationship between posttraumatic blood viscosity changes and total body oxygen consumption. Immediately after operation packed cell viscosity increased. This caused a decrease in oxygen consumption. Infusion of dextran-40 changed viscosity back to normal and oxygen consumption returned to normal. It is concluded that in humans surgical trauma causes an increase in packed cell viscosity and microcirculatory impairment as evidenced by a decrease in total body oxygen consumption. Dextran-40 infusion reverses these detrimental changes. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA027054
Entities
People
- Martin S. Litwin
Organizations
- Tulane University of Louisiana