The effects of isotonic saline volume resuscitation in uncontrolled hemorrhage

Abstract

In the present study, the effects of early isotonic fluid resuscitation on uncontrolled hemorrhage in rats under pentobarbital anesthesia were assessed. Forty-five female Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing between 230 and 295 grams, were anesthetized and cannulated. Uncontrolled hemorrhage was initiated by a 75 percent tail resection, and the rats were randomly divided into three groups: group 1, no resuscitation; groups 2 and 3, saline solution administration over a four minute interval (40 and 80 milliliters per kilogram, respectively), 15 minutes after the initial hemorrhage. Changes in blood pressure, blood loss and mortality rates were recorded and the rats were observed for up to 360 minutes. The mortality rates were 73, 40 and 53 percent for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The corresponding average survival times for these groups were 135, 195 and 178 minutes. The difference between groups 1 and 2 were above the 95 percent confidence level using the chi-square test (mortality) and the Student's t test. The average total blood loss in groups 2 and 3 was 31.7 and 41.4 milliliters per kilogram of body weight; when compared with group 1 (24.6 milliliters per kilogram), the difference between the two latter groups (1 and 3) was statistically significant with a p < 0.001. These results suggest that early infusion of isotonic fluid improves survival time and reduces short term mortality in uncontrolled hemorrhage regardless of the associated increases in blood loss.