Role of iron and oxygen radicals in hemorrhage and shock.

This contribution focuses on the role of iron as a critical component in the genesis of oxygen radical mediated tissue injury occurring after global ischemia associated with severe hypovolemic shock. Conventional colloid or crystalloid fluid resuscitation does not adequately protect organs susceptible to reperfusion injury. One approach aimed at attenuating such post-trauma reperfusion injury is systemic, high dose, iron chelation used in combination with colloid fluid replacement.