Limits of hemodilution in the treatment of hemorrhagic shock

: Clinical analysis of 168 cases of hemorrhagic shock of the 230 cases of hemorrhage and injuries admitted to the 2nd Surgical Clinic of Timisora between 1970 and 1973, showed that the administration of blood substitutes (crystalloid and colloid solutions) may be extended with good results in the management of hemorrhagic shock up to a hematocrit of 20%, respectively 7 g Hb. This treatment implies a careful selection of the cases, based upon objective criteria (listed in the text), so that the none administration of blood should not involve any risks. Even in the cases in which blood tranfusion is indispensable, hemodilution reduces to a great extent the amount of blood required.