Journal of pediatric surgery
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Since shock secondary to hemorrhage is not infrequently encountered in the pediatric patient, a puppy model was devised to help measure and monitor cardiovascular and metabolic changes that occur before and after resuscitation from hypovolemic shock (mean arterial pressure of 50 mm Hg for 1 hr). Three resuscitation protocols were compared: whole blood (replacement:shed) 1:1, 5% albumin in Ringer's lactate 1:1; and Ringer's lactate 3:1. All dogs survived the experiment and responded similarly during the shock period. ⋯ In addition, early resuscitation demonstrated a further decrease pH ("hidden acidosis") before it began to return toward normal as resuscitation progressed. This study suggests that the infusion of large volumes of Ringer's lactate or 5% albumin in Ringer's lactate are equally efficacious in the treatment of hemorrhage. However, 5% albumin seems to be preferable because it allows infusion of a smaller quantity of electrolyte solution with equivalent physiologic benefits.