Relationship between prolonged hypovolaemic shock and myocardial failure

Abstract

It is not known whether prolonged hypovolaemic shock leads to myocardial failure and whether administration of digitalis, a powerful inotropic agent, prior to volume replacement produces an improvement of the haemodynamic status or not. The present study was undertaken to observe the effect of digitalis, given prior to volume replacement, in patients with prolonged hypovolaemic shock. Twenty one acute patients were studied in three groups. In Group I, digitalisation was carried out as and when indicated; in Group II, digitalis was given in the routine way, while in Group III, it was withheld. The results as assessed by the measurement of the central venous pressure and mean arterial pressure did not show any significant difference between the groups. It is felt that digitalis or any inotropic agent may not be of much help in bringing about significant haemodynamic effects, possibly because myocardial failure per se does not, occur from prolonged hypovolaemic shock.