Hepatic insufficiency and increased proteolysis, cardiac output, and oxygen consumption following hemorrhage

Thirty dogs underwent hemorrhage over a 60-min period to a predetermined O2 debt of 60-120 mL O2/kg, monitored with a Beckman metabolic cart, and then were resuscitated with 120% of the shed volume. Twenty survived and were followed over the next 7 days. On day 4, hepatic insufficiency was suggested by an elevation in [total amino acids] and [lactate] and a decrease in [urea] and [branched-chain amino acids]/[aromatic amino acids]. Net whole body catabolism on day 4 is suggested by a decrease in [glutamine] and an increase in plasma [3-methylhistidine], [phenylalanine], and [tyrosine]. These changes were significantly related to cardiac index, mean blood pressure, [lactate], O2 debt, and shed volume during the hemorrhage 4 days earlier. On day 7 there was a significant increase in the cardiac index and the VO2. These data suggest that hemorrhage induces sequelae similar to major injury or sepsis: hepatic insufficiency, net catabolism, hypermetabolism, and a hyperdynamic circulation. The hyperdynamic circulation may be necessary to meet increased tissue delivery requirements for O2 and amino acids.