Changes in microcirculation and oxygen pressure in the liver and kidneys in experimental traumatic shock

Changes in microcirculation and oxygen pressure in the liver and kidneys were studied in experiments on 42 rats in the course of experimental traumatic shock elicited by Cannon's methoicroscope with a microphoto adapter MFN-12. Oxygen pressure was recorded with the aid of active open hemispheric platinum electrodes with diameters of 150-200 mum. With advencing shock, considerable disturbances of microcirculation and PO2 occurred in hepatic and renal tissues. By the end of the torpid phase of the shock, the PO2 in the liver sank to 1/2.4, and in the kidneys, to less than 1/4 of the respective initial values. The changes in microcirculation were of an ischaemic, vasospastic type in the kidneys, and of a mosaic pattern in the liver: ischaemic segments alternated with areas fully supplied with blood. A severe and rapid course of shock was accompanied by more marked disturbances of PO2 and circulation in hepatic and renal terminal vessels.