Ethacrynic acid in blood transfusion--its effects on plasma volume and urine flow in severe anaemia in pregnancy.

Thirty grossly anaemic pregnant Nigerian women with venous haematocrit levels varying between 6 and 17%, had their plasma volumes estimated by the Evans blue dye dilution technique, both before and immediately after direct transfusion of packed blood cells. Parenteral ethacrynic acid was added to the blood for transfusion in 20 patients, seven of whom were in anaemic heart failure on admission. Ethacrynic acid used in this way was successful in the prevention of acute pulmonary oedema, and it produced acute diuresis as well as a reduction of plasma volume in the majority of cases. This technique of direct transfusion with ethacrynic acid is simple, and it may well replace exchange transfusion as a means of treating patients with anaemic heart failure.