Effects of cimetidine on fluid requirement during resuscitation of third-degree burns.

Seventy percent body surface area third-degree burns were produced in four groups of six guinea pigs each, after which all were resuscitated with Ringer's lactate solution. Group 1 received 4 ml/kg/%burn. Group 2 received 1 ml/kg/%burn with cimetidine, which was begun at 0.5 hours after burn injury. Group 3 received 1 ml/kg/%burn with cimetidine, which was begun at 1 hour after burn injury. Group 4 received 1 ml/kg/%burn without cimetidine. There were no significant differences among any of the groups in blood pressures or heart rates during the study period. Group 4 showed significantly higher hematocrit values than group 2 at 4 hours after burn injury and thereafter. The cardiac outputs of group 2 were the same statistically as those of group 1. The cardiac outputs of group 3 were significantly lower than those that received cimetidine early (group 2), though still higher than those of the 1 ml control group (group 4) at 4 hours after burn injury and thereafter. At 24 hours after burn injury, the water content of the burned skin of group 2 was significantly lower than that of the other groups. We conclude that in third-degree burns, cimetidine therapy can effectively reduce burn edema and the amount of required resuscitation fluid. Early administration is better than late administration of cimetidine.