The author emphasized the liver damage as an important aspect of side-reactions attending massive blood transfusions. Massive exchange transfusions of 0.7-0.5cc/Kg/min. were given to 3 groups of rabbits, the first being subjected to CCl
4 poisoning, producing damage to the central lobules, the second to formic allyl as a poison to the peripheral lobules of the liver, while the third to mechanical injury by biliary occlusion.
The results obtained may be summarized as follows:
1) Microscopically, the liver lobules as well as other vital organs revealed progressive signs of intoxication. These changes, however, are temporary and often reversible, although recovery is delayed from case to case.
2) Following mechanical injury produced by biliary occlusion, the changes in various organs and liver functions showed simply an intensification of the preexisting damage due to massive blood transfusions, although the survival time is shortened. The spleen appeared to be exceptional.
3) Massive blood transfusions also exert a remarkable influence on the adrenal glands, indicating an influence on the defensive vital reaction in the presence of liver damage.
4) In animals with liver damage caused by formic allyl and also in biliary occlusion, massive blood transfusions induce remarkable blood stagnation and hemosiderin precipitation in the spleen. It is therefore presumed that massive blood transfusions give a compensatory burden on this organ.
In conclusion, the author conjectures that the influence of massive transfusions in patients with liver damage, as compared with transfusions of blood in moderate amounts, induce remarkable body reactions, but these effects are mostly temporary and reversible. However, the results stated in 3) and 4) should be regarded as important considerations to be taken into account in the practice of massive transfusion.
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