[Extravascular albumin and water content of the lungs in traumatic-hemorrhagic shock]

Fifteen mongrel dogs are subjected to a standardized traumatic hemorrhagic shock. Plasma albumin, measured by J-125-albumin distribution, decreases to 58% of its original level after trauma and hemorrhage. Lung albumin content increases to 53% of the blood level. Lung water content is studied in vivo using the double indicator technique, post mortem by gravimetric methods. None of these methods shows an augmentation of lung water. The massive albumin loss occurs, particularly in the lungs, due to capillary leakage. The constant pulmonary water content can possibly be explained by early artificial respiration and by the fact that in contrast to clinical situations no infusion therapy was performed.