CIRCULATORY FAILURE IN ACUTE INFECTIONS

Abstract

Studies were made of the circulation in 8 patients with circulatory failure associated with acute infectious diseases. The patients presented a clinical picture which resembled in many ways that seen in traumatic shock. The arterial pressure was low; venous pressure was normal before transfusion. Plasma vol. was not significantly decreased, and hematocrit and plasma protein detns. showed no evidence of hemoconcentration. Elevating the foot of the bed produced no improvement in the circulation. Transfusions of whole blood or plasma, or the infusion of 10% glucose in saline likewise produced no definite improvement in the circulation, although it caused an avg. rise in venous pressure of 7 cm. of water and an increase in blood vol. The circulatory failure in these cases does not have the same mechanism as that in cases of hemorrhage or traumatic shock, because the plasma vol. is not decreased and transfusions are not beneficial. It is not caused by venous pooling, because filling the venous system does not improve the circulation. The entire cardiovascular system is damaged by the infection.