THE SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF SO-CALLED "IRREVERSIBLE" SHOCK BY WHOLE BLOOD SUPPLEMENTED WITH SODIUM BICARBONATE AND GLUCOSE

Abstract

A series of 64 unanesthetized dogs was brought to the "irreversible" stage of shock by repeated bleeding, which was done in amts. and at intervals such as to reproduce a more or less standard pattern for all. This pattern was the rapid reduction of the blood pressure to 50 mms. Hg or less, and a slower decline over 1 1/2-2 hrs. to the lowest pressures compatible with life. Therapy was withheld until the plasma CO2 capacity fell to 15 vols. % or less. It was concluded that acidosis, while not the cause of shock, is an important factor in determining the reversibility of far-advanced shock. A large proportion of dogs ordinarily considered to be in "irreversible" shock will survive if treated with whole blood supplemented by NaHCO3 and glucose.