Some effects of autologous and homologous blood or plasma overtransfusions in the dog

Plasma volume, protein concentration, mean arterial pressure, urticaria, and survival rates were observed in morphine-pentobarbitalized dogs overtransfused with either dextran, homologous blood, reconstituted homologous blood, autologous frozen stored, homologous frozen stored, or fresh plasma. The principal reaction and only difference between responses with autologous plasma and homologous blood and plasma was the development of urticaria with homologous blood (10%), homologous plasma (70–90%), and reconstituted homologous blood (100%). Significant amounts of fluid and protein were lost with all overtransfusions; this loss was not correlated with the urticaria. Of five dogs developing urticaria, three had an increased plasma histamine level. Diphenhydramine hydrochloride reduced the incidence of urticaria from 100 to 20%. Blood group incompatibility was not involved. There was a direct relationship between handling of blood and urticaria, and it is postulated that, during handling, a substance is activated which causes the release of endogenous histamine and production of urticaria.

Movement of fluid, albumin, and globulins with overtransfusion and hemorrhage

Two groups of 18 morphine-pentobarbitalized dogs were used for the experiments. Determinations of plasma volume and protein concentration were made before and after the experimental procedures. The first group was bled to a mean arterial pressure of 35 mm Hg. During an average bleeding time of 74 min in which the dogs bled 48% of their circulating plasma and 47% of their total protein, 29% of the plasma and 14% of the protein removed has been replaced from extravascular sources. Those dogs that bled for the longest time gained the greatest amount of fluid and protein. Globulins comprised 74% of the protein mobilized. The second group of dogs was overtransfused with a mean volume of 85 ml/kg of whole blood. Thirty minutes after the transfusion, 20 ml/kg of plasma and 0.53 g/kg of protein escaped from the vascular system. No correlation was found between the rate of infusion and the rate of fluid and protein loss. Seventy per cent of the total protein leaving the circulation was albumin.