Plasma volume, red cell volume, and thoracic duct lymph flow in hypothermia

Abstract

The effects of hypothermia on plasma volume (125I-albumin), red blood cell volume (51 Cr-RBC), and capillary permeability (thoracic duct lymph flow and protein concentration) were determined on dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital, paralyzed with succinylcholine, and mechanically ventilated. Red blood cell volume and plasma protein concentration did not change significantly after cooling. Reductions in plasma volume and total plasma proteins indicate that whole plasma was excluded from the effective circulating blood volume. Except for a lesser increase in hematocrit, chronically splenectomized dogs showed essentially the same changes as normal dogs in response to hypothermia. Following application of ice bags, there was a biphasic response in lymph flow. The early increase in lymph flow accompanying a slight decrease in plasma volume was attributable to transcapillary fluid loss into interstitial space, probably due to cold-induced sympathetic activity. The later decrease in lymph flow in hypothermia resulted from a decrease of lymph production secondary to a decrease in available capillary diffusion area. This decrease in lymph flows and the continued reduction in plasma volume suggest an intravascular sequestration of whole plasma.