Effect of low molecular dextran on total liver blood flow in hemorrhagic shock.

Hemorrhage amounting to 40% of the calculated blood volume in dogs produced a fall in systemic blood pressure to a level of approximately 50 mm Hg. This was associated with a decline of total liver blood flow of about 60% of normal. Infusion of low molecular dextran (LMD) or saline of a volume, corresponding to 1/7 of the volume of blood taken out, increased the total liver blood flow. This increase was much more pronounced in the LMD group, maybe due to the ability of LMD to simultaneously increase systemic blood pressure, decrease blood viscosity and disaggregate red blood cells in the microcirculation.