[Resuscitation from experimentally induced hemorrhagic shock with hypertonic saline (effects on thoracic duct lymph...

We compared the effect of hypertonic salt solution (7.2%, HS) with that of normal saline (NS) and lactated Ringer's solution (LR) for the treatment of hemorrhagic shock. We monitored hemodynamic parameters, thoracic duct lymph flow, and tissue oxygen tension over 3 hours after hemorrhage. Twenty-seven anesthetized mongrel dogs (0.5% halothane) were bled to an aortic pressure of 60 mmHg for 90 min following 40 mmHg for 30 min and then they were resuscitated with each solution. In NS group, the volume transfused was twice the bled volume, and in other two groups, each solution was transfused providing equal amounts of sodium as NS group. We found that hemodynamics were restored in HS group as well as in other two groups. On the other hand, thoracic duct lymph flow and tissue oxygen tension of renal cortex and liver increased significantly over other two groups. We conclude that small volume resuscitation with 7.2% NaCl may be effective in the initial treatment of hemorrhagic shock from the view of tissue circulation in vital organs.