THE EFFECT OF EPINEPHRINE ON THE VOLUME OF THE BLOOD

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Abstract
Measurements of the vol. of the blood and its components were made at rest, and variations in the vols. were followed after subcut. inj. of epinephrine. Such procedures were carried out on 5 normal subjects, on 2 individuals with polycythemia vera and on 2 normal subjects whose spleens had been removed previously because of accidental injury. The dye method for determining the plasma vol. was used, employing a blue azo dye, T-1824. In normal subjects, following the adm. of epinephrine, there is a prompt and definite decrease in the plasma vol. which persisted in most cases for at least 45 mins. In the majority of cases there was a slight increase in cell vol. These alterations were associated with an increase in blood Hb and viscosity and serum proteins. In subjects who had polycythemia vera with splenomegaly, epinephrine caused a definite decrease in the plasma vol., a moderate increase in cell vol. with little change in the total vol. After the inj. of epinephrine into 2 individuals whose spleens had been removed, there was a decrease in both blood and plasma vols., accompanied by a slight decrease in the cell vol. The effects of severe exercise and of epinephrine on the components of the blood volume were similar.