Modified Glucose-insulin-potassium Therapy for Hemorrhage-induced Traumatic Cardiac Arrest in Rabbits.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Resuscitation with whole blood is known to be better than that with saline in attaining the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and improving the short-term survival rate for hemorrhage-induced traumatic cardiac arrest (HiTCA). However, the resuscitation with whole blood alone fails to address the pathophysiological abnormalities, including hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia and coagulopathy, after HiTCA. The present study aimed to determine whether the modified glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) therapy can ameliorate the above-mentioned pathophysiological abnormalities, enhance the ROSC, improve the function of key organs, and reduce the mortality after HiTCA. METHODS: HiTCA was induced in rabbits (n=36) by controlled hemorrhage. Following arrest, the rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (n=12 each) group A (no resuscitation), group B (resuscitation with whole blood), and group C (resuscitation with whole blood plus GIK). The GIK therapy was administered based on the actual concentration of glucose and potassium. The ROSC rate and survival rate were obtained. Hemodynamical and biochemical changes were detected. Thromboelastography (TEG) was used to measure coagulation parameters, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect parameters related to inflammation, coagulation and the function of brain. RESULTS: All animals in groups B and C attained ROSC. Two rabbits died 24-48 h after HiTCA in group B, while no rabbits died in group C. The GIK therapy significantly reduced the levels of blood glucose, potassium, and biological markers for inflammatory reaction, and improved the heart, kidney, liver and brain function in group C when compared to group B. Furthermore, the R values of TEG were significantly lower in group C than in group B, and the maximum amplitude of TEG was slightly lower in group B than in group C, with no significant difference found. CONCLUSION: Resuscitation with whole blood and modified GIK therapy combined can ameliorate the pathophysiological disorders, including hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia and coagulopathy, and may improve the function of key organs after HiTCA.