Summary
Hemoglpbinemia of approximately 300 mg% was produced in dogs by five separate methods.
Resulting from the infusions of incompatible plasma or erythrocytes there was a hemostatic
defect characterized by severe thrombocytopenia and moderate fibrinogenopenia. Associated
with this were leukopenia, neuromuscular and cardio-respiratory disturbances. Except
for hemoglobinemia resulting from infusion of autologous hemoglobin solution, distilled
water, or glucose-damaged autologous erythrocytes, no systemic reaction was detected.
These findings indicate that the liberation of thromboplastic erythrocyte components
by hemolysis is not the mechanism of the hemostatic defect in hemolytic transfusion
reactions.
Acknowledgment. Canine anti-A serum was obtained through the courtesy of Lt. Col.
J. H. Akeroyd, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, D. C.
