Comparison of exchange transfusion and deferoxamine in the treatment of acute iron poisoning

Abstract

The efficacy of iron removal by deferoxamine, exchange transfusion, and a combination of deferoxamine and exchange transfusion was studied in 3 groups of dogs with severe iron intoxication. The amount of iron excreted in the urine of dogs treated with deferoxamine was minimal. The mean amount of iron removed in the group receiving exchange transfusion alone was 30 times greater than the amount obtained by urinary excretion in the group treated with deferoxamine. Chelation with deferoxamine followed by exchange transfusion did not increase the amount of iron removed by exchange transfusion.