The rise of blood sugar as parameter for the degree of severity of hemorrhagic shock in the rabbit.

Besides the known cardiovascular effects of hemorrhagic shock, the following regular metabolic consequences can be demonstrated in rabbits: The rise in blood sugar in hemorrhagic shock increases with the amount of blood withdrawn per unit time. The rise in blood sugar is independent of the state of consciousness or Nembutal anesthesia. The characteristic rise in blood sugar lasts longer than the partial exsanguination phase. The rise in blood sugar is attributed to an increased glycogenolysis due to a reflex triggering of catecholamine secretion via the baroreceptors in hemorrhagic shock. More attention to metabolic consequences of hemorrhagic shock may possibly give rise to consequences for diagnosis and therapy of shock.