[Controlled hypothermia of ischemic extremities for the prevention of tourniquet shock].

The tourniquet-shock in dogs was produced after recirculation of ischemically stressed bilateral hind limbs. 4 of 7 dogs died within 5 hours after release of the tourniquets. The cause of heart failure could be defined by hypercaliaemia, metabolic acidosis and hemoconcentration. The development of tourniquet-shock could be suppressed by hypothermic preservation of the ischemic extremities.