THE CARDIAC OUTPUT AND VASCULAR RESPONSE TO TRAUMA
Abstract
Clinical and experimental observations indicate that only a very slight increase of cardiac output is requisite for maintenance of normal metabolism and uncomplicated recovery after a major operation. Patients with extensive sepsis or gangrene and experimental animals with induced abscesses must satisfy circulatory requirements more than double the basal value. Failure of the circulatory system to meet this demand results in acidosis and sudden death. Experiments indicate that an inflammatory area behaves in a fashion similar to an arterio-venous aneurysm. In experimental burns an increase of pulmonary vascular resistance and a decrease of compliance was found related to blood protein denaturation and red cell agglutination. Fever, water evaporation, and excess respiratory work also were demonstrated as contributing to increased circulatory demand. Observations of patients with respiratory complications indicate an efficient respirator is capable of reducing the cardiac output requirements by as much as 30% while improving the metabolic situation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 31, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0436045
Entities
People
- George Jr H. Clowes
Organizations
- Medical University of South Carolina