EXPERIMENTAL preparations used to investigate hemorrhagic shock involve controlled hypotension1,2 or the reinfusion of whole blood containing anticoagulants. A shock model which involves controlled pressure or anticoagulants cannot be used to determine the efficacy of a therapeutic agent in experimental shock since the agents themselves have an effect upon arterial pressure or capillary perfusion.3-5 The ideal preparation for clinical study eliminates any agent which alters the animal's physiologic response to shock.
The purpose of this paper is to analyze a shock model devised by us to fulfill the criteria mentioned above.
Materials and Methods
In 25 splenectomized dogs anesthetized with thiopental sodium (30 mg/kg), the femoral artery and vein were cannulated for bleeding, infusions, pressure recording, and blood sampling. Hemorrhagic shock was induced with a rapid arterial hemorrhage of 40% of the calculated blood volume. Ten minutes later an additional 10% of the dog's blood volume was removed;