Dexamethasone treatment during hemorrhagic shock: blood pressure, tissue perfusion, and plasma enzymes.

In a study to determine beneficial effects of dexamethazone (5 mg/kg) during hemorrhagic shock, perfusion (as measured by radioactive microspheres) and plasma enzymes were measured. Hemorrhagic shock (mean arterial blood pressure, MABP, of 50 mm of Hg) was induced in dogs and then the dogs were isolated from the shed-blood reservoir and were allowed to compensate their MABP. Hemodynamic changes, tissue perfusion, and plasma enzymes were measured at different intervals of time in nontreated and dexamethasone-treated dogs. Beneficial effects were increased MABP, improved blood flow to the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys, and less cell damage as indicated by amounts of plasma enzymes released from damaged tissues. These effects favor the maintenance of the homeostatic state and, in turn, a greater chance for survival of the dog.