The use of blood in burn shock. Clinical and experimental study.

We have given whole blood as one of the main constituents of burn shock resuscitation for the past 28 years. To appraise the value of using whole blood, we have summarized the clinical experience of 2630 burn patients. Overall mortality was 4.18%. The lethal area of the burn were 50% of the population is expected to die was 82.8% total body surface area and 57.4% third-degree burns. The incidence of renal failure, pulmonary edema, and gastrointestinal bleeding was 0.9%, 0.4%, and 0.6% respectively. To confirm the advantage of transfusion of whole blood, we have carried out a series of experimental studies. Two groups of 25 dogs with 25% total body surface area full-thickness burns were treated with two resuscitation regimens. Group I was treated with whole blood, and group II with no blood, during the shock phase. After 48 hours, the infusions were stopped. Measurements were made before the burn and 2, 24, 48, 72, and 144 hours after the burn injury. The animals were then killed for histologic studies. From our data, we concluded that whole blood used in burn shock did not increase hemoconcentration or viscosity; it improved anemia, oncotic pressure, hypoproteinemia, acid-base balance, oxygenation, hemodynamics, and myocardial contractility, promoted cardionatrin secretion, reduced edema of tissue, and protected viscera from degenerative changes and bacterial colonization.