Lorazepam, dexamethasone and high-dose metoclopramide were given to 54 patients to prevent emesis induced by cisplatin (50–120 mg/m²) on day 1, while prochlorperazine and dexamethasone were administered on days 2 and 3 for control of delayed emesis. Nausea and emesis were recorded from day 1 to day 8. This combination was well tolerated. Prevention on day 1 was complete for 72% of patients and satisfactory (≤2 emeses on day 1) in 85%. From days 2 to 8, no emesis, ≤ 2 and > 2 episodes occurred in 70, 11 and 19%, respectively. Overall control (days 1–8) was complete in 55.5% and satisfactory ≤2 emeses on day 1 and/or < 2 emeses from days 2 to 8) in 74%. Delayed emesis started on days 2–5. Mean duration was 2.6 days. Delayed nausea or emesis were more frequent when emesis occurred on day 1. Based on data previously reported and on these observations, better ways to prevent delayed events are discussed. Further trials must record systematically delayed side effects.

Sera obtained from one hundred patients before and after open heart surgery and concomitant transfusion were tested for anti-γ globulin, antileukocyte, and antiplatelet antibodies. The sera of 34 patients contained anti-γ globulin antibodies of one or another variety for the first time after the operation. Of eight additional patients who were seropositive before the operation, seven developed anti-γ globulin antibodies of different specificity postoperatively. Gm-specific antibodies were detected after the operation in 14 patients, Gm antibodies of unknown specificity in nine, and anti-antibodies in 18. The anti-antibodies were of the Andressen type in 17 cases and of the Milgrom type in one. Leukoagglutinins were detected postoperatively in 33 patients, and platelet antibodies in three. Possible explanations for the high incidence of anti-γ globulin antibodies found in this study include (1) the transfusion of many units of blood during a single surgical procedure, (2) an increase in the antigenicity of the gamma globulins due to aggregation or to changes in molecular configuration during extracorporeal circulation, and (3) an optimal interval between antigenic stimulation and collection of blood for testing.

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Summary A passive hemagglutination technique employing isolated γ-globulins and myeloma proteins of known genetic types coated onto human group O cells by CrCl3 method has been developed. Cells thus coated have been successfully used for Gm and Inv typing of human sera. The degree of discrimination between inhibiting and noninhibiting sera is as great as with the conventional method using cells coated with incomplete anti-Rh.