Summary
Dogs subjected to extracorporeal circulation with a modified D e Wall heart-lung apparatus
developed thrombocytopenia and severe deficiency of the antihemophilic factor (AHF).
To quantitate this reaction more accurately, a two-stage method of study was devised
whereby citrated blood in the first stage was subjected to artificial, oxygenation
and then in the second stage, was transfused into recipient dogs. In all cases, depression
in AHF and platelets occurred even though fibrinogen remained at high levels. Depression
in AHF levels could also be produced by mechanical damage to tissues of the extremities
or by the autotransfusion of stored blood. Control transfusion of fresh blood produced
no such effects.