Abstract
We studied responses of newborn lambs to acute hemorrhage. Seventeen lambs, aged 4-70 days, were bled either 45-52% or 58-65% of their measured blood volumes. We measured red cell volumes with cesium chloride labeling and fluorescent excitation analysis. We assumed an Fcell ratio of .85 to calculate blood volume. We used only local anesthesia and bled at a rate of 1.4-3.0% blood volume per minute.
In the group hemorrhaged 45-52%, hematocrit, total serum solids, heart rate, and blood pressure fell significantly by the end of the hemorrhage. Respiratory rate and paO2 increased, while paCO2 decreased. pH remained unchanged. Nine of 12 animals survived more than 24 hours post hemorrhage with no IV replacement. In contrast, in the lambs bled 58-65%, heart rate increased significantly, while other variables showed changes similar to the other group. In this group, however, only 1 animal survived, while 4 died within 90 minutes after the end of the hemorrhage(P<.01).
We conclude that newborn lambs can tolerate approximately 50% acute loss of blood volume. Further decrease in blood volume significantly increases mortality.
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Spitzer, A., Phibbs, R. & Schlueter, M. 1027 MASSIVE HEMORRHAGE IN THE NEWBORN LAMB. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 535 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-01033
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-01033