Hemorrhagic shock treatment with hot intravenous fluid in dogs

In hot climates, only high temperature fluids (are greater than 100 F) may be available for treatment of blood loss shock in combat casualties. Can the hot fluid be used safely and effectively? We compared hot Ringer's lactate (51.7% C/125 F) resuscitation (n=10) to body-temperature (100 F) fluid resuscitation (n=10) in a hemorrhagic shock dog model. One liter of 125 F fluid, as part of the resuscitation, did not cause hyperthermia, red blood cell hemolysis, or any significantly different response in the cardiovascular system when compared to body-temperature fluid. All animals in both groups survived. These findings suggest that battlefield use of hot fluids in controlled amounts can be safe and effective for treatment of blood loss shock in human combat casualties.