Experimental Chemotherapy of Burns and Shock. VIII.: II. Electrolyte Changes in Tourniquet Shock

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Abstract
Studies in untreated traumatic (tourniquet) shock in mice demonstrate fluid loss into the injured area equivalent to 3% of the body wt. The Na loss into the injured tissues is equivalent to 25% of the extracellular Na, resulting in an extracellular dehydration in the remainder of the body. The injured region loses 1/3 of its K content, and there is some evidence for a Na[long dash]K redistribution. Urine analyses demonstrate a marked retention of Na by the body, and an increased excretion of K in shocked animals treated with isotonic NaCl. Comparison of these K data with the toxicity results reported in part 1 indicates the importance of K in shock. The tourniquet technique was adapted to rabbits. Shocked rabbits demonstrate an increased susceptibility to administered K, and following lethal doses of KC1 show terminal serum K values lower than normal animals similarly treated. All three factors (Na loss, fluid loss, and K release) are interrelated, and important in the shock syndrome. Isotonic NaCl solns. are effective therapeutically by correcting these abnormal changes.

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