Bollman, Jesse L.

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.

Fluorescent quantitation of epinephrine and norepinephrine in plasma of patients suspected of having pheochromocytomas is of considerable diagnostic value. The concentrations of these pressor amines in normal subjects, patients with various diseases with and without hypertension, and 13 patients with pheochromocytomas are reported. In all patients with pheochromocytomas and sustained hypertension the concentrations of pressor amines were significantly elevated. However, in patients with paroxysmal hypertension secondary to pheochromocytomas the pressor amine concentrations may be unelevated when the blood pressures are normal. In this latter group provocative tests with intravenous histamine are indicated to induce hypertension prior to quantitating pressor amines.