Hemodynamic Alterations Secondary to an Electrical Burn in the Rat: A Pilot Study

Rats subjected to a standard electrical burn of 250 volts for 10 seconds receive a severe injury stimulating a pronounced systemic circulatory response. Initial postinjury hyperemia is replaced by a low perfusion state within 24 hours. Our study demonstrates the difficulty in isolating regional mi-crocirculatory alterations under such circumstances. Modification of the burn model or the method of fluid resuscitation may minimize the influence of this dynamic systemic response.