Splanchnic blood volume in traumatic shock
The distribution of radioiodinated plasma and radioiron-labeled red blood cells between the liver, intestine and spleen were determined during the induction and development of tourniquet shock in mice. The data obtained indicate that plasma and red blood cells are distributed differentially throughout the splanchnic vasculature such that plasma volume of liver, intestine and spleen remain depressed for the entire shock interval, as does splenic red cell volume. After an early decline, the red cell volume of liver and intestine become elevated to a level above control. This differential distribution of plasma and red cells in liver and intestine is attributed to alterations in peripherovascular tone and suggests that a venous component becomes prominent late in shock and may act to pool blood out of active circulation.