Influence of haemorrhage and blood transfusion on haemostasis. An experimental study in rabbits.

Abstract

The influence of haemorrhage and blood transfusion on primary haemostasis, coagulation and fibrinolysis was investigated in rabbits. Acute loss of 20% of the blood volume gave a significantly shortened coagulation time (Lee-White method) but no detectable change in fibrinolysis (euglobulin clot lysis time) and primary haemostasis (primary haemostatic plug formation time in transected arterioles in rabbit mesenteric microcirculation). Acute loss of 20% of blood volume followed by blood transfusion resulted in a prolonged coagulation time and also in a prolonged primary haemostatic plug formation time, but no change in fibrinolysis. It could be concluded that the haemorrhage did not affect the platelet-dependent primary haemostasis but resulted in a shortened coagulation time. Blood transfusion seemed to affect adversely both the primary haemostasis and the shortened coagulation time induced by haemorrhage.