Hypertonic sodium chloride solutions: effect on hemodynamics and survival after hemorrhage in swine.

We evaluated the hemodynamic response of 12% shed blood replacement with 7.5% sodium chloride after a nonlethal hemorrhage in chronically instrumented swine. Compared to no treatment or Ringer's lactate infusion, the hypertonic salt solution was followed by increased cardiac output. We then evaluated the effect of hypertonic sodium chloride on survival after an otherwise lethal hemorrhage in chronically instrumented and unanesthetized swine. Survival was significantly greater after replacement of 25% of the shed blood with 7.5%, but not with 0.9%, 5.0%, or 10.0% sodium chloride solution. The mechanism appears to be by increased tissue perfusion as indicated by lower lactate values. Resuscitation with low-volume hypertonic sodium chloride may be life saving and life supporting during the initial treatment of trauma patients when conventional therapy is not available.