INTRODUCTION The optimal haematocrit for the critically ill patient is undetermined. METHODS This review focuses on clinical and experimental papers regarding the aetiology and management of anaemia from the Medline database. Data from our intensive care unit (ICU) were also included. RESULTS Anaemia may result from frequent blood sampling, gastrointestinal bleeding, surgical blood loss, im...

In small resident bird species living at northern latitudes, winter cold acclimatization is associated with an increase in pectoral muscle size and haematocrit level, and this is thought to drive the seasonal increase in summit metabolic rate (Msum, a measure of maximal shivering thermogenic capacity). However, evidence suggesting that pectoral muscle size influences Msum is correlational and t...

In physiological research on natural populations, it is essential to understand the impact of capture-induced stress because of its numerous effects on many physiological processes. Our objective was to determine the extent to which the stress levels of meadow voles Microtus pennsylvanicus were affected by short-term responses to live trapping and how these were influenced by the amount of time...

BACKGROUND Modern haemodialysis monitors offer computerised ultrafiltration and sodium concentration profiles which promise better dialysis tolerance. This presumption was tested in chronic haemodialysis patients. METHODS Using Fresenius MC 4008S monitors a group of nine patients were dialysed with a given ultrafiltration profile comparing sessions with decreasing sodium concentration (145 to...

The marine iguana, Amblyrhynchus cristatus, is an iconic lizard endemic to the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador, but surprisingly little information exists on baseline health parameters for this species. We analysed blood samples drawn from 35 marine iguanas captured at three locations on San Cristóbal Island. A portable blood analyser (iSTAT) was used to obtain near-immediate field results for pH,...

Previous studies have shown that severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is secondary to circulatory dysfunction due to the simultaneous occurrence of increased vascular permeability and marked arteriolar vasodilation which lead to an intense homeostatic stimulation of the renin-aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems and antidiuretic hormone (ADH). In the present report, we have in...

OBJECTIVES To assess the relationship between haematocrit and risk of major ischaemic heart disease events. DESIGN Prospective study of a cohort of men followed up for 9.5 years. SETTING General practices in 24 towns in England, Wales, and Scotland (British Regional Heart Study). SUBJECTS Altogether 7735 men aged 40-59 years at screening, who were selected at random from one general pract...

Although bulk changes in red blood cell concentration between vessels have been well characterised, local distributions are generally overlooked. Red blood cells aggregate, deform and migrate within vessels, forming heterogeneous distributions which have considerable effect on local haemodynamics. The present study reports data on the local distribution of human red blood cells in a sequentiall...

AIM To verify whether extra uterine changes in total peripheral vascular resistance and cardiac output, caused by raised haematocrit, occur in fetal life and if they can be documented using conventional ultrasound techniques. METHODS An exchange transfusion with packed red cells was performed on five fetal lambs at 140 days of gestation (weight 3.44, SD 0.48 kg); three others were used as con...

OBJECTIVE To find out the relationship between recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) with deficiencies of haemoglobin, haematocrit, serum vitamin B12, serum Ferritin and red blood cells (RBC) Folate level. STUDY DESIGN An analytical cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Department of Oral Health Sciences, Shaikh Zayed Federal Postgraduate Medical Complex, Lahore, from February to...