Concentrated Plasma in Histamine Shock

Abstract

Best and Solandt¹ recently reported that the intravenous injection of pituitrin and concentrated serum produces beneficial effects on blood-pressure in dogs suffering from traumatic shock or histamine poisoning. We have studied the effects of various fluids in thirty cats injected with 5 mgm. of histamine per kgm., which in control experiments produces death within two hours. Animals receiving intravenously 10–25 c.c. per kgm. of concentrated plasma (concentrated to one half or one third its original volume) within ten minutes of the histamine injection survived for more than four hours and the blood pressure usually recovered to about normal level. Intravenous saline was ineffectrive. Normal plasma or gumsaline were also less satisfactory, generally producing only a short-lived rise of blood pressure. The administration of concentrated plasma may thus be of value in patients suffering from severe traumatic shock or other conditions associated with markedly increased capillary permeability.