BACKGROUND:
The role of rate and volume of infusion in survival from experimental uncontrolled hemorrhage was evaluated.
METHODS:
Hemorrhage was initiated using tail resection in 43 female rats assigned to the following five groups: nonresuscitated; resuscitated with moderate volume, slower rate; resuscitated with moderate volume, faster rate; resuscitated with high volume, slower rate; and resuscitated with high volume, faster rate. RESULTS: A trend toward improved survival was noted with faster rate of infusion (60 vs. 33.3% survival rate with moderate volume and 28.6 vs. 12.5% with high volume, compared with 16.7% in the nonresuscitated animals).
CONCLUSION:
Rapid infusion of moderate volume of isotonic saline improved survival in uncontrolled hemorrhage. Extreme volumes, infused rapidly, also resulted in higher survival rates compared with those observed in nonresuscitated rats.