Comparison of hemodynamic and regional blood flow changes at equivalent stages of endotoxin and hemorrhagic shock

Hemodynamic, respiratory, and regional blood flow measurements were carried out in two groups of monkeys at three roughly equivalent stages of endotoxin and hemorrhagic shock. Comparisons revealed characteristic differences at the two early stages, particularly in systemic vascular resistance and the pattern of distribution of cardiac output. However, at the final stage of shock, these patterns had merged and there were no characteristic differences between the two groups. The pathologic significance of these findings, in terms of the endotoxin theory of irreversible hemorrhagic shock and the realtive contributions of vasoactive humoral substances at various stages of the two forms of shock, is discussed.