Assessment of acute blood-loss by determination of change in red-cell volume

Abstract

A method is described for the quantitative measurement of acute blood-loss from any source by determination of change in the red-cell volume. The accuracy and sensitivity of this method have been assessed in 23 patients admitted to hospital with acute gastro-intestinal bleeding. The method was sufficiently sensitive to detect a change in red-cell volume of 3 per cent. Reproducible results were obtained, duplicate measurements of red-cell volume deviating from the mean by less than 4 per cent. Completely separate daily measurements, in subjects not undergoing further haemorrhage, deviated from the mean by less than 5 per cent.