The effect of temperature on survival in hemorrhagic shock.

Hypothermia is a frequent complication of severe hemorrhagic shock and can complicate the treatment of trauma patients. The authors have investigated the effect of external warming on a treated model of hemorrhagic shock in rats. Their data show that externally heating the animal during the shock period decreases the animal's ability to withstand shock and increases intrashock and postshock mortality when compared to nonheated controls. The authors have also shown that nonheated animals that can retain body heat by passive retention can withstand increased shock time and have an increased postshock survival.