Nociceptive somatic nerve stimulation and skeletal muscle injury modify systemic hemodynamics and oxygen transport and utilization after resuscitation from hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE

To examine if either nociceptive somatic nerve stimulation or skeletal muscle injury modified systemic hemodynamics and oxygen transport and utilization after resuscitation from hemorrhage in anesthetized pigs.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, controlled laboratory study.

SETTING

Animal laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Twenty isoflurane-anesthetized and mechanically ventilated large white pigs.

INTERVENTIONS

Three groups of animals were instrumented with femoral arterial and thermodilution pulmonary artery catheters. One group of animals had bilateral brachial nerve electric stimulation before hemorrhage (brachial nerve stimulation + hemorrhage, n = 7). The second group of animals had bilateral hindlimbs skeletal muscle injury induced by firing a captive-bolt handgun with standard charges before hemorrhage (skeletal muscle injury + hemorrhage, n = 6). The third group had neither insult before hemorrhage (control, n = 7). Controlled bleeding was initiated to reduce the cardiac index and systemic oxygen delivery (Do2) by 50% in all animals. Animals were then left for 30 mins before resuscitation. All animals were resuscitated with 4.5% human serum albumin at 45 mL/kg and observed for 2 hrs.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Plasma volume, systemic hemodynamics, and oxygen transport variables were measured and calculated after resuscitation. Similar increases of plasma volume and supranormal cardiac index were observed in all groups immediately after resuscitation. The branchial nerve stimulation and hemorrhage group maintained higher heart rate, cardiac index, Do2, and oxygen consumption (Vo2) than the hemorrhage group. In contrast, the skeletal muscle injury and hemorrhage group had lower systemic mean arterial pressure and vascular resistance, and a tendency for decrease in Vo2, than the hemorrhage group, although heart rate, cardiac index, and Do2 were similar in both groups. Hemorrhage increased the arterial plasma lactate concentration, which was later normalized in all groups 60 mins after resuscitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Neither nociceptive brachial nerve stimulation nor skeletal muscle injury attenuated the increase in plasma volume, cardiac index, or the repayment of systemic oxygen debt after resuscitation from hemorrhage. Brachial nerve stimulation was associated with augmented cardiac index, systemic Do2, and increased Vo2 requirements related to increased sympathetic nervous system activation. Skeletal muscle injury produced early systemic arterial hypotension and vasodilation, and a decrease in Vo2 that was suggestive of pathologic supply dependency on systemic Do2.