The Pulmonary Circulation as a Source of Leucocytes and Platelets in Man

Abstract

Following the admn. of intraven. epinephrine, blood was sampled from intravasc. catheters placed in the right ventricle and a large systemic artery. An increase in the number of leukocytes and platelets in the arterial samples exceeded that found in the venous blood by at least 1 or 2 circulation times. The arteriovenous platelet difference was more marked and sustained than the leukocyte difference. These expts. illustrate that in some patients the lung may be stimulated to deliver platelets and leukocytes promptly into the circulation.