['Hypertonic saline solutions in combination with colloids may have some applications in critically ill patients. Our aim was to examine the effects of small volumes (0.7-1 mL/kg intravenous) of 7.5% NaCl with different colloids on cardiac stability, hemodynamics, and mortality after severe hemorrhagic shock.', 'Male fed Sprague-Dawley rats (300-450 g, n = 48) were anesthetized and randomly assigned to one of six groups: (1) untreated (bleed only), (2) 7.5% NaCl, (3) 7.5% NaCl/6% dextran-70, (4) 7.5% NaCl/6% hetastarch (HES), (5) 6% HES alone, and (6) 7.5% NaCl/10% HES. Hemorrhagic shock was induced by phlebotomy until the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was 35 mm Hg to 40 mm Hg and continued for 20 minutes until ∼40% blood loss. Animals were left in shock for 60 minutes at 34°C. 0.3 mL (<4% of shed blood) was injected as a 10 seconds bolus into the femoral vein. Lead II electrocardiogram, blood pressures, MAP, and heart rate were monitored.', 'Untreated rats were highly arrhythmogenic with 38% mortality. 7.5% NaCl increased MAP from 39 mm Hg to 44 mm Hg with no severe arrhythmias or mortality. Dextran-70 increased MAP from 38 mm Hg to 49 mm Hg, transiently increased QRS amplitude (1.5 times) and was arrhythmogenic affecting 50% of animals with no deaths. Addition of 6% HES to hypertonic saline resulted in aberrant arrhythmias and 38% mortality. Six percent HES alone was proarrhythmic and led to 38% mortality. 7.5% NaCl with 10% HES resulted in 100% mortality (p < 0.05) from arrhythmias within 5 minutes of resuscitation.'] Are small volume 7.5 % NaCl with 6 % Dextran-70 or 6 % and 10 % hetastarch associated with arrhythmias and death after 60 minutes of severe hemorrhagic shock in the rat in vivo?