Utility of military anti-shock trousers (MAST) in anaphylactic shock--a case report

A 49-year-old man with severe anaphylactic hypotension deteriorated and developed an unmeasurable blood pressure despite vigorous intravenous (IV) fluid and epinephrine administration. Application of the lower body compression garment known as MAST (Military Anti-Shock Trousers) improved the patient's blood pressure and helped to stabilize it until additional fluids and vasopressors were administered; he survived without sequellae. We propose that augmentation of preload and afterload by MAST is a useful adjunct in severely hypotensive anaphylactic patients who do not respond initially to IV fluids and epinephrine.