Sodium pyruvate is better than sodium chloride as a resuscitation solutionin a rodent model of profound hemorrhagic shock

Pyruvate is an energy substrate that has both inotropic and antioxidant pro perties. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that survivorship would be better after resuscitation with 1.7% sodium pyruvate than 0.9% sodium chlo ride in a profound hemorrhagic shock model. The study was performed in a bl inded manner. Rats were randomly assigned into two groups (ten in each grou p), a sodium chloride resuscitation group and a sodium pyruvate resuscitati on group. After a 60-min shock period, we infused 80 ml/kg of a resuscitati on solution. We continuously monitored mean arterial pressure and heart rat e for 50 min after resuscitation. We recognized death by the disappearance of blood pressure pulsation and precordial movement. We performed a compari son of survivorship at 50 min post resuscitation using a Z-test of proporti ons. Nine (90%) of the animals that received sodium pyruvate were living 50 min after resuscitation, whereas only three (30%) of the animals that rece ived sodium chloride survived to the same time point. We conclude that sodi um pyruvate is better than sodium chloride as a resuscitation solution in a model of profound hemorrhagic shock. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd . All rights reserved.