Quantitative assessment of leukostasis in experimental hypovolemic-traumatic shock

Using a hypovolemic-traumatic shock model without reinfusion of shed blood, 111In-oxine-labeled granulocytes were injected to quantify pulmonary leukostasis in dogs. Labeling was facilitated by a non-traumatic and rapid technique for granulocyte processing and a commercially available 111In-oxine solution. Lung biopsy material taken before and after shock showed granulocyte-associated radioactivity to be significantly increased 90 min after the onset of shock. This observation established that pulmonary leukostasis in shock models is not caused solely by reinfusion of shed blood, but rather by humoral factors operative during shock, e.g. by complement activation. The described experimental design should also be useful for in vivo tests of drugs which act on granulocyte function and may have a potential place in the management of shock.