Irreversible thermic shock in rats: methods and results of a standardized shock model

A standardized model for thermic shock in rats is described: 30% of the body surface, i.e. an oval-shaped area from neck to tail and limited by the connecting line between front and back limb, is exposed to 70 degrees C water for 180 seconds. The mean survival time was 2.63 +/- 1.22 hours. Immediately after burn injury, thermic shock developed with decline of respiratory and heart frequency and there was a decrease of arterial blood pressure in the first hour after shock had been induced. Severe decline in pO2 in arterial blood and in ATP occurred 30 minutes after injury and a similar increase in blood glucose, lactate, pCO2 and arterial pH was noted. Pathological changes were demonstrable in liver, kidneys, spleen, heart, lung, small intestine and pancreas: disseminated intravascular coagulation and capillary stasis were predominant in all organs; in addition different changes in organs are described (cell injury, oedema etc. in lung, liver, kidney and pancreas).