Hypertonic saline improves tissue oxygenation and reduces systemic and pulmonary inflammatory response caused by hemorrhagic shock

Background: The treatment of hemorrhagic shock (HeS) with large volumes of fluid does not ensure an adequate peripheral perfusion or prevent inflammatory activation despite hemodynamic recovery. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of hypertonic saline (HTS) and isotonic saline (IS) solutions on oxygenation, perfusion, tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin-6 levels, accumulation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, and pulmonary perivascular edema in the treatment of controlled HeS in rats. Methods: Wistar rats submitted to HeS for 50 minutes (mean arterial pressure, 45-50 mm Hg) were treated with IS at three times the bled volume or with 5 mL/kg HTS. Results: The animals treated with HTS presented higher oxygenation and perfusion indices (p < 0.0001); lower arterial lactate, tumor necrosis factor-a, and interleukin-6 levels (p < 0.0001); less pulmonary perivascular edema and polymorphonuclear neutrophil sequestration (p < 0.0001); and lower mortality (p < 0.01) than those that received IS. Conclusion: HTS improved tissue oxygenation and perfusion and reduced systemic and pulmonary inflammatory responses compared with IS in the treatment of HeS in rats.