Comparison of peripheral and central infusions of 7.5% NaCl/6% dextran 70

Although it had been known for several years that central venous injections of hypertonic salt solutions with added dextran could effectively resuscitate animals from hemorrhagic shock, it was not known whether peripheral injections could result in the same beneficial effects. Chronically instrumented, unrestrained, and unanesthetized sheep were subjected to a moderate degree of hemorrhagic shock and then resusciated with a 2-minute infusion of 7.5% NaCl/6% dextran 70 in a volume of 5 ml/kg body weight. Infusions were made into the cephalic vein, the femoral artery, or, centrally, the superior vena cava. All three routes of injection promptly reestablished arterial pressure and cardiac output. All gave equivalently good restoration of plasma volume. None of the injections damaged the vessels, as determined either by gross inspection or by histologic examination. Thus the solution was safe and effective when given peripherally. It might be useful in the field resuscitation of hypovolemic patients.