Small Volume Resuscitation of Hypovolemic Shock.

Studies on unanesthetized sheep were performed to evaluate effectiveness of hypertonic saline dextran formulations. Studies on anesthetized rat measured changes in intracellular metabolism of skeletal muscle during shock and resuscitation. Based on presented data it is concluded that. 1 Hypertonic saline, 2400 mosm, 6 dextran 70 solution is safe and equally effective if given by central infusion, peripheral vein, or artery 2 Hypertonic saline dextran is more effective at maintaining vascular expansion than hypertonic saline hetastarch 3 The addition of dextran to hypertonic saline increases the vascular expansion and improves cardiovascular function in a dose response manner 4 Hemorrhage has slow acting and varied effects on high energy phosphates of skeletal muscle. Monitoring of skeletal muscle with NMR is unlikely to be a good measure of the effectiveness of different resuscitation regimes.