[The effect of citrate or heparin coagulation on the dog's heart work in autotransfusion].

During massive autotransfusion in the dog, the different anticoagulation processes have an important influence on heart work and performance. This is especially marked with citrate, depending on the amount and the transfusion rate. In spite of normovolemia both parameters show a transient decrease up to 40% - 50% with ACD and up to 60% - 70% with CPD. These different reactions may be due to the corresponding composition of each stabilizer. The effect is abolished by simultaneous use of citrate and calcium, which may prove that the observed changes are caused mainly by a depletion of ionized calcium caused by the rapid transfusion. This is comparable to the well-known citrate intoxication. In contrast both cardiac parameters decrease only about 10% with heparin anticoagulation. Heparinization seems to be preferable to citrate as regards heart work and performance during massive autotransfusion. Also the two citrate stabilizers significantly differ in their effect on both cardiac parameters, the use of ACD being favoured.