The Journal of surgical research
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The use of hypothermia in cardiac and neurologic surgery is well established, but its use in treating hemorrhagic shock is controversial. Using a modified Wiggers hemorrhagic shock model, we examined the effects of hypothermia (group 1, 33 degrees C, N = 7; group 2, 28 degrees C, N = 12) after inducing hemorrhagic shock. In group 3, N = 6, dogs were maintained at body temperature in hemorrhagic shock and throughout resuscitation (normothermic shock). ⋯ Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was lower in the severely hypothermic dogs while stroke volume was higher in this group. Rewarming ablated all differences in cardiovascular performance and acid-base balance. Our data show that moderate hypothermia during hemorrhagic shock increased coronary perfusion, enhanced cardiac contractile performance, and significantly reduced myocardial oxygen requirements.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)