Hypertonic saline-dextran solutions for the prehospital management of traumatic hypotension.

Abstract

We report the results of the first clinical study on the use of a hypertonic saline-dextran solution for the prehospital management of hypotensive victims of penetrating trauma. During a 4-month period, 48 trauma patients with penetrating injuries and a prehospital systolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or less were infused in-field with 250 ml of either a hypertonic saline-dextran solution or the crystalloid plasmalyte A. There were no complications associated with the infusion of the hypertonic saline-dextran solution, and execution of the protocol by paramedic personnel was both safe and uniformly successful. The potential impact of this solution on medical care and the results of this feasibility study justify the initiation of a larger prospective, randomized clinical trial on the efficacy of this solution in the prehospital setting.

• Authors: P A Maningas, K L Mattox, P E Pepe, R L Jones, D V Feliciano, J M Burch
• Journal: American journal of surgery (Am J Surg) Vol. 157 Issue 5 Pg. 528-33; discussion 533-4 (May 1989) ISSN: 0002-9610 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2469338 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Dextrans
• Saline Solution, Hypertonic
• Sodium Chloride

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Ambulances
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Dextrans (administration & dosage)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Humans
• Hypotension (drug therapy, etiology)
• Random Allocation
• Saline Solution, Hypertonic (administration & dosage)
• Sodium Chloride (administration & dosage)
• Wounds, Penetrating (complications)