Ferguson J L, Merrill G F, Miller H I, Spitzer J J
Circ Shock. 1977;4(4):317-26.
The distribution of blood flow was determined with radioactive microspheres following scald injury in guinea pigs. Burn was induced in halothane-anesthetized guinea pigs by a 3-sec immersion to the xiphoid process in 100 degree C water. Cardiac output and fractional blood flow measurements were made at preburn, 15-min postburn, and 75-min post-burn. In the scalded animals cardiac output decreased 58% by 75 min postburn. Three different blood flow responses to burn were noted: a) Brain, heart, hepatic artery, and adrenals received an increased fraction of the cardiac output; b) the fractional distribution of the diaphragm, liver (portal), spleen, gastrointestinal tract, muscle (from burned portion of the body), and bone remained constant; while c) the pancreas, burned skin, nonburned skin, and adipose tissue received a reduced fraction of the cardiac output. Although some regions of the body (i.e., brain and heart) received a greater percentage of the total cardiac output after burn injury, the cardiac output decrease was sufficient to cause a depression in absolute blood flow to all but two sites (adrenals and hepatic artery).
