Effect of limiting post-shock pulmonary edema on mortality from bacterial pneumonia.

Dogs were subjected to hemorrhagic shock and then resuscitated according to physiological parameters. Randomly selected dogs received a sublethal dose of intratracheal microorganisms. In comparing the results with those previously reported from our laboratory, in which animals received an 85% greater resuscitation of Ringer's lactate, it appears that pulmonary edema in the post-shock contaminated state can be limited. Furthermore, through minimization of pulmonary edema, pulmonary defenses appear to be improved and mortality from infection reduced.