Rapid body cooling by cold fluid infusion prolongs survival time during uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock in pigs

J Trauma. 2002 Jun;52(6):1056-61; discussion 1061. doi: 10.1097/00005373-200206000-00006.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine whether cold fluid infusion could rapidly decrease the core temperature and prolong survival during uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock in pigs.

Methods: Fourteen pigs under light halothane anesthesia and spontaneous breathing underwent initial blood withdrawal of 25 mL/kg over 15 minutes, followed by uncontrolled hemorrhage (5-mm aortotomy). Immediately after the aortotomy, the pigs were randomized to receive 500 mL lactated Ringer's solution at either 4 degrees C (group 1, n = 7) or 37 degrees C (group 2, n = 7) over 20 minutes through the internal jugular vein and observed until their death or for a maximum of 240 minutes.

Results: The pulmonary artery temperature of group 1 decreased to 35.5 degrees +/- 0.3 degrees C after the infusion, then remained at 35.5 degrees C during the observation period. Pulmonary artery temperature values of group 2 remained at around 37.5 degrees C throughout the experiment. The mean survival time was 220 +/- 45 minutes in group 1 versus 136 +/- 64 minutes in group 2 (p < 0.05, life table analysis). The additional intraperitoneal blood loss of group 1 was similar to that of group 2 (9 +/- 4 g/kg vs. 10 +/- 5 g/kg).

Conclusion: In lightly anesthetized pigs during uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock, infusion with 4 degrees C lactated Ringer's solution (which seems to be feasible in the clinical setting) decreases the core temperature rapidly and prolongs survival.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Gas Analysis
  • Body Weight
  • Hemodynamics*
  • Hypothermia, Induced / methods*
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Life Tables
  • Shock, Hemorrhagic / mortality
  • Shock, Hemorrhagic / therapy*
  • Swine
  • Time Factors