CARDIAC OUTPUT AND BLOOD VOLUME IN SEVERE HOOKWORM ANAeMIA

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Abstract
The method for the determination of the cardiac output and blood volume using radio-iodinated human serum albumin and an external counting apparatus is described. The heart size was also determined radiologically. Thirty patients with hookworm anemia and a hemoglobin under 7 g/100 ml and 4 healthy subjects were studied. In 10 patients this was repeated after treatment of the anemia. The blood volume was slightly reduced in 62% of them and was better related to the surface area: it increased after the correction of anemia. The cardiac output was increased, and later decreased after the correction of anemia. There was no tachycardia or appreciable change in the blood pressure. Increased heart size and better ejection of the blood were considered the probable underlying mechanisms. It is suggested that a moderate increase of oxygen utilization plays some role in the amelioration of tissue hypoxia. Appreciable mitral regurgitation could not be demonstrated.