M Stein1, R Gray. 1. Department of Radiology, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento 95817, USA.
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the feasibility of using the corpus cavernosum as an emergency vascular access in dogs with severe hypovolemia. METHODS: Five male mongrel dogs were brought to hypovolemic shock by withdrawal of blood through an internal jugular venous line. Using the corpus cavernosum as a venous access, normal saline was injected through a 23-gauge needle at the highest possible rate. Cavernosography was performed under fluoroscopy to verify the accurate position of the needle tip. Blood volumes were measured using 125I-labeled human serum albumin. RESULTS: Before the dogs were bled, their mean systolic blood pressure was 121.4 (mean) +/- 5.2 (standard error) mm Hg and their mean blood volume was 1,835.2 +/- 139.7 ml. The mean volume of blood removed from the dogs was 710.0 +/- 67.8 ml. The mean systolic pressure during shock was 40.8 +/- 2.2 mm Hg. After fluid resuscitation, the mean systolic pressure recovered to 114.6 +/- 4.6 mm Hg and their mean blood volume increased to 1,763.2 +/- 112.7 ml. The mean rate of saline infusion into the corpus cavernosum was 50.2 +/- 0.7 ml/min. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of using the corpus cavernosum as an alternative route for fluid resuscitation in severely hypovolemic dogs.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the feasibility of using the corpus cavernosum as an emergency vascular access in dogs with severe hypovolemia. METHODS: Five male mongrel dogs were brought to hypovolemic shock by withdrawal of blood through an internal jugular venous line. Using the corpus cavernosum as a venous access, normal saline was injected through a 23-gauge needle at the highest possible rate. Cavernosography was performed under fluoroscopy to verify the accurate position of the needle tip. Blood volumes were measured using 125I-labeled humanserum albumin. RESULTS: Before the dogs were bled, their mean systolic blood pressure was 121.4 (mean) +/- 5.2 (standard error) mm Hg and their mean blood volume was 1,835.2 +/- 139.7 ml. The mean volume of blood removed from the dogs was 710.0 +/- 67.8 ml. The mean systolic pressure during shock was 40.8 +/- 2.2 mm Hg. After fluid resuscitation, the mean systolic pressure recovered to 114.6 +/- 4.6 mm Hg and their mean blood volume increased to 1,763.2 +/- 112.7 ml. The mean rate of saline infusion into the corpus cavernosum was 50.2 +/- 0.7 ml/min. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of using the corpus cavernosum as an alternative route for fluid resuscitation in severely hypovolemic dogs.