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MTB

03/11/08 4:08 PM

#8935 RE: biopearl #8897

Once you have watched a zealous med student with a #11 scapel split the chest (in a trauma resusciation), you will never for a second presume that there is ANY portion of the human anatomy that can't be quickly located and exposed to air. The question, of course, is at what price.

There is no question that it is technically possible to cannulate the thoracic duct -- to administer whatever you want there (ATIII or otherwise).

My concern is that to do so is more than moderately invasive -- which has to have a very big upside in someone with no blood pressure and a bleeding disorder (sepsis/DIC).

Let's hope the intravascular repletion of ATIII will have sufficient effect.

Best,
MTB