Comparative study of blood clotting factors in anaphylactic and primary and secondary endotoxin shock

Cinephotomicrography shows emboli are formed in the lung during stages of anaphylactic and endotoxin shock and platelet counts are decreased. Rabbits in anaphylactic shock had a 50 percent mortality while 100 percent mortality was associated with endotoxin shock. During the terminal phase, the platelet count recovers in anaphylactic shock but not in endotoxin shock. This suggests a difference in the emboli formed during these two forms of shock. This study was directed at determining what might be the difference. Periodic measurement of electrocardiographic tracings, fibrinogen, factor VIII and fibrin degradation products (FDP) were made using standard equipment and test kits. The results of the study showed no changes in any of the measured clotting factors during anaphylactic shock. However, in endotoxin shock FDP appeared after seven to 10 hours, fibrinogen levels decreased from 221 mg per dl to 85 mg per dl and factor VIII time increased significantly. From these results, it is concluded that platelet aggregation in anaphylactic shock does not involve fibrin deposition, whereas in endotoxin shock platelet aggregation and fibrin deposition are both a factor in the formation of the emboli, possibly explaining the irreversible aggregation observed in terminal endotoxin shock.