No deleterious pulmonary effects from moderate transfusions of microaggregate-rich blood in dogs.

Dogs were transfused with moderate amounts of blood (28% of calculated blood volume) containing microaggregates as reflected in high screen filtration pressure. In one group of animals, the blood was filtered through a standard commercial filter and in another group a micropore transfusion filter was used. Comparison of the transfused groups with nontransfused control animals revealed a statistically significant decrease in Qt and pH 1 h after blood transfusion. There were no differences between the two transfused groups. It is concluded that moderate blood transfusions with aggregate-rich blood did not seem to seriously compromise lung function. Furthermore, the changes found after transfusion were related to the presence of factors in stored blood other than microaggregates.