Correlation between local oxygen tension in muscle tissue and survival time in tourniquet shock.

Tourniquet shock was induced in rabbits by constricting one hind leg for 4 hr. Local pO2 on muscle surface was measured by a multiwire platinum electrode according to the method of Kessler. Untreated animals showed anoxic tissue areas after a period of 30 min of reperfusion. All these animals died in shock within 3-4 hr. The glucocorticoid, prednisolone (20 mg/kg), and the proteinase inhibitor, Trasylol (20,000 KIU/kg), were administered 5 min bfore release of the tourniquet. These animals showed normal pO2 values during the 2-3 hr observation period. Tourniquet shock was prevented and survival time prolonged by these agents. This protective effect could be correlated to the oxygen tension in the ischemic region.