REGIONAL BLOOD-FLOW REDISTRIBUTION DURING EARLY BURN SHOCK IN GUINEA-PIG

Abstract

The distribution of blood flow was determined with radioactive microspheres following scald injury in guinea pigs. Burn was induced in halothane-anesthetized guinea pigs by a 3 s immersion to the xiphoid process in 100.degree. C water. Cardiac output and fractional blood flow measurements were made at preburn, 15 min postburn and 75 min post-burn. In the scalded animals cardiac output decreased 58% by 75 min postburn. Brain, heart, hepatic artery and adrenals received an increased fraction of the cardiac output; the fractional distribution of the diaphragm, liver (portal), spleen, gastrointestinal tract, muscle (from burned portion of the body) and bone remained constant; while the pancreas, burned skin, nonburned skin and adipose tissue received a reduced fraction of the cardiac output. Although some regions of the body (i.e., brain and heart) received a greater percentage of the total cardiac output after burn injry, the cardiac output decrease was sufficient to cause a depression in absolute blood flow to all but 2 sites (adrenals and hepatic artery).