title: An explanation of impaired solute mixing in extracellular fluid after hemorrhagic hypotension.
abstract: A theory is presented suggesting that the slowed rate of solute dispersion in the extracellular fluid (ECF) space during or after hemorrhagic shock is largely due to a depressed cardiac output, and that mixing may be improved by any fluid therapy that decreases the mean recirculation time for the solute. This theory was tested by comparing solute mixing rates after treatment of shocked anesthetized dogs with either protein-free Ringer solution with Ringer solution containing 5% albumin. The rate of mixing was determined by computer analysis of the disappearance of an ECF tracer from plasma. Compared with Ringer-treated dogs, the albumin-treated group had a faster rate of tracer equilibration, larger cardiac plasma output, and smaller, approximately normal ECF volume. It was concluded that the abnormal dispersion of solute within the ECF space seen during or after hypotension can be corrected simply by restoring the cardiac output, and that albumin-containing fluid may be more effective in this regard than crystalloid solution alone.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002302:Cardiac Output; D003201:Computers; D004285:Dogs; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D008297:Male; D011865:Radioisotope Dilution Technique; D012771:Shock, Hemorrhagic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015018:Ytterbium
chemical_list: D015018:Ytterbium