Objective: To propose a resuscitation fluid with a new formula for resuscitation of shock in battlefield on the basis of pathogenesis of hemorrhagic shock and clinical experiences, and to evaluate its safety and effectiveness in a rat hemorrhagic shock model.
Methods: After hemorrhagic shock was reproduced in rats, a mixture of lactate Ringer solution and hydroxyethyl starch solution at 2:1 proportion (referred to as LH) was used for resuscitation in animals of control group; LH supplemented with dexamethasone and furosemide (referred to as LHDF) was used as resuscitation fluid for experimental group. After 4 hours of infusion, blood and major organs were obtained for serum biochemical tests, lung water content measurement and histopathological observation.
Results: The mean arterial pressure of rats of both control and experimental groups recovered rapidly after resuscitation. There was no significant difference in the parameters of serum biochemistry between control group and experimental group. The wet/dry weight ratio of lung tissue in experimental group was significantly lower than control group (4.56 ± 0.14 vs. 4.88 ± 0.29, P <0.05). The blood alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in experimental group were also significantly lower than in control group [ALT: (73.02 ± 41.89) U/L vs. (193.85 ± 104.49) U/L; AST: (199.06 ± 108.7) U/L vs. (395.25 ± 137.08) U/L, both P <0.05). Diuretic effect was obviously observed in experimental group than control group [time of start urination: (76 ± 20) minutes vs. (153 ± 14) minutes; urine volume: (9.6 ± 5.2) ml vs. (1.5 ± 2.2) ml, P <0.01 and P <0.05] , and the amount of ascitic fluid in experimental group was significantly lower than in control group [(1.3 ± 0.6) ml vs. (5.0 ± 3.0) ml , P <0.05). Histopathological observation of the liver, lung and intestine also showed less pathological changes in experimental group than in control group.
Conclusion: The designed battlefield anti shock fluid in this study has been shown to be effective in fluid resuscitation for hemorrhage shock in rats, with reduced tissue edema and less injury to the liver, lung and intestine.