Whole blood vs. packed red cells for resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock: an examination of host defense parameters in dogs.

Whole blood vs. packed red cells for resuscitation of acute blood loss in dogs was compared with respect to a number of variables of host defense. Dogs subjected to a controlled blood loss equal to 8% of their body weight exhibited significant depressions in serum protein, C3, IgG, and total opsonic activity when resuscitated with packed red cells in saline. No such depression in serum components or activity was observed in identically bled dogs resuscitated with whole blood. There were no differences in the rate of clearance of intravenously injected bacteria indicating an intact reticuloendothelial system (RES) function in both groups. These experiments suggest that whole blood may be preferable to packed cells for resuscitation of acute hemorrhagic shock when the effect on resistance of infection is considered.