Broadbent, James C.

Application of hemodialysis to dogs has been complicated by an acute reaction consisting of hypotension, bradycardia and respiratory depression followed by instability and a mortality rate of about 30 per cent. This reaction appears to be a response to homologous blood used to fill the dialyzers. Sensitization occurs in survivors, and accentuated reactions with marked hemolysis are noted on subsequent challenge. Cross matching the donor and recipient bloods has not permitted an adequate determination of compatibility under the conditions of hemodialysis. Satisfactory hemodialysis may be accomplished in dogs by using autogenous blood or blood substitutes to fill the dialyzers.

Dye dilution and cardiac catheterization technics were used to study 36 patients with a central left-to-right shunt due to patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect. The configuration of dilution curves following injection of dye into an antecubital vein was similar in all instances. Principal abnormalities of the curve were a prolongation of its disappearance slope and a relative reduction in the peak concentration of dye. Quantitatively expressed, these abnormalities could be correlated with the magnitude of the left-to-right shunt. Curves of normal contour were observed following surgical closure of the ductus arteriosus, and in patients with isolated pulmonary stenosis.