Electrocardiographic and Biochemical Study in Hemorrhagic Shock in Dogs Treated with Hyperbaric Oxygenation

Abstract

A modification of the standard Fine preparation for hemorrhagic shock yielding an 83 per cent mortality rate was developed. Hyperbaric oxygenation (OHP) at 3 atmospheres absolute was found to decrease the mortality rate significantly, to 26 per cent. Electrocardiographic changes induced by OHP were bradycardia and sinus arrhythmia, which were abolished by vagotomy. Tachycardia, depression of the S-T segment, with changes in the configuration of the T wave that indicated myocardial damage, was observed in shock dogs treated with OHP. All changes improved after decompression and reinfusion of shed blood. The improved survival rate is attributed to better oxygenation of the hypoxic tissues [see figure in the PDF file] by the increased physically dissolved oxygen.