Internally Peer Reviewed Early post-hemorrhage circulatory changes are compensatory, all serving to preserve perfusion of the vital organs, Vasoconstriction, shunting, and fluid shifts all contribute to the attempt to maintain perfusion of vital vascular beds. A more detailed account of these homeostatic mechanisms operative in the shock state is provided in Chapter X, dealing with the physiologic response to trauma For our purposes here, suffice it to say that the response to hemorrhage is graded and complex. In the young healthy individual, a significant blood loss can be tolerated without major changes of the blood pressure early on. The foregoing may not apply to the older casualty, to the depleted casualty, or even the younger casualty as the interval between wounding and initiation of therapy lengthens.
Mild tachycardia is the only clinical sign in all uncomplicated situation.
This represents a blood loss of 500 cc or less in the 70 kg person. The blood pressure, respiratory rate, urine output, and mental status are within normal limits. The capillary blanch test is normal, refilling occurring within two seconds. These Casualties should be resuscitated with crystalloid solutions. This degree of loss in the 70 kg soldier amounts to 750-1500 cc of blood.