Long-term observation following traumatic-hemorrhagic shock in the dog: a comparison of crystalloidal vs. colloidal fluids.

The effect of volume replacement with crystalloidal and colloidal solutions was analyzed in 40 anesthetized Foxhounds subjected to a standardized traumatic-hemorrhagic shock. Following trauma and hypotension (MAP 40 mmHg; 3.0 +/- 0.5 hr) the animals were randomized to treatment with autologous blood and hydroxyethyl starch 6% (HES 450/0.7), or human serum albumin 5% (ALB), dextran-60 6% (DX), Ringer's lactate (RL), and hyperosmolar saline 1.3% (HS), respectively. While analgesia and sedation were maintained, the hemodynamic measurements were continued for a 24-hr period. Crystalloids and colloids were found equally effective in maintaining the macrohemodynamics following resuscitation from traumatic-hemorrhagic shock. To keep central hemodynamics at pre-shock level required at least four times higher volumes of crystalloids than colloids. No specific advantage for one of the substitutes tested was found with regard to accumulation of water in the lung during the first 24 hr following shock in dogs. Extravascular lung water (thermo-dye) and organ water (gravimetry) were not different between the groups. However, fluid loss into the abdominal cavity as well as albumin extravasation into lung interstitium and abdominal cavity were more pronounced in the crystalloid-treated animals, whereas albumin redelivery by the lymph was decreased. The deterioration of tissue oxygen extractions as well as the changes in acid-base balance in both crystalloid-treated groups reflect the persistent microcirculatory inhomogeneity in spite of normal macrohemodynamics.