ObjectiveTo examine if either nociceptive somatic nerve stimulation or skeletal muscle injury modified systemic hemodynamics and oxygen transport and utilization after resuscitation from hemorrhage in anesthetized pigs.DesignProspective, randomized, controlled laboratory study.SettingAnimal laboratory.SubjectsTwenty isoflurane-anesthetized and mechanically ventilated large white pigs.InterventionsThree groups of animals were instrumented with femoral arterial and thermodilution pulmonary artery catheters. One group of animals had bilateral brachial nerve electric stimulation before hemorrhage (brachial nerve stimulation plus hemorrhage, n equals 7). The second group of animals had bilateral hindlimbs skeletal muscle injury induced by firing a captive-bolt handgun with standard charges before hemorrhage (skeletal muscle injury plus hemorrhage, n equals 6). The third group had neither insult before hemorrhage (control, n equals 7). Controlled bleeding was initiated to reduce the cardiac index and systemic oxygen delivery (DO2) by 50% in all animals. Animals were then left for 30 mins before resuscitation. All animals were resuscitated with 4.5% human serum albumin at 45 mL/kg and observed for 2 hrs.Measurements and Main ResultsPlasma volume, systemic hemodynamics, and oxygen transport variables were measured and calculated after resuscitation. Similar increases of plasma volume and supranormal cardiac index were observed in all groups immediately after resuscitation. The brachial nerve stimulation and hemorrhage group maintained higher heart rate, cardiac index, DO2, and oxygen consumption (VO2) than the hemorrhage group. In contrast, the skeletal muscle injury and hemorrhage group had lower systemic mean arterial pressure and vascular resistance, and a tendency for decrease in VO2, than the hemorrhage group, although heart rate, cardiac index, and DO2were similar in both groups. Hemorrhage increased the arterial plasma lactate concentration, which was later normalized in all groups 60 mins after resuscitation.ConclusionsNeither nociceptive brachial nerve stimulation nor skeletal muscle injury attenuated the increases in plasma volume, cardiac index, or the repayment of systemic oxygen debt after resuscitation from hemorrhage. Brachial nerve stimulation was associated with augmented cardiac index, systemic DO2, and increased VO sub 2 requirements related to increased sympathetic nervous system activation. Skeletal muscle injury produced early systemic arterial hypotension and vasodilation, and a decrease in VO2that was suggestive of pathologic supply dependency on systemic DO2.(Crit Care Med 1996; 24:623-630)