STUDY OF TOTAL RED CELL VOLUME AND ERYTHROCYTE SURVIVAL USING RADIOACTIVE CHROMIUM IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

Abstract
Using autogenous erythrocytes tagged with radioactive sodium chromate red cell volumes were measured in 38 patients with advanced pulmonary tuberculosis. Erythrocyte lifespan was followed in 45 patients using the Cr51 technique. Anemia as indicated by a decreased red cell mass was more evident and more severe than the venous hematocrit indicated. The red cell lifespan was normal in these patients.