Background: The diagnosis of hemorrhagic shock in a patient with tachycardia and hypotension is generally straightforward. The difficulty lies in the selection of optimal approach for the patient. In this study on a canine model of deep hemorrhagic shock induced by bleeding, we used various amounts of fluid infusion to determine the most appropriate amount of fluid resuscitation.
Methods: The study included 30 mongrel dogs. Mongrel dogs were randomized to three equal groups of 10. The control group received no treatment. The rapid infusion group received 60 mL/kg of lactated Ringer's solution in half an hour whereas the third group received 30 mL/kg during the same time period.
Results: The lactate decreased in the two treatment groups. The platelet and fibrinogen levels did not vary in the slow infusion group but decreased markedly in the rapid infusion group.
Conclusion: In conclusion, fluid resuscitation should not be unnecessarily aggressive. The coagulation parameters are diluted in proportion with the amount of fluid given. Blood lactate level can be used as a guiding marker in evaluation of treatment effectiveness of hemorrhagic shock patients.