The Electrocardiogram during Exchange Transfusion.

Exchange transfusion is a hazardous procedure with a mortality of 4-7 5%. (van Praagh, 1961; Boggs and Westphal, 1960). Various complications may lead to sudden death in which hyperkalaemia, hypocalcaemia, acidosis, citrate toxicity, circulatory overloading, hypothermia and embolism have been incriminated (Farquhar and Smith, 1958). The mode of death in these cases, whatever the aetiology, is usually acute cardiac failure. This account is based on three years' experience in electrocardiographic monitoring of the heart during exchange transfusion.