The shock syndrome is determined to a large extent by: (a) the preshock physiological status of the organism; (b) the nature, intensity, and duration of action of the causative agent; and (c) the promptness of removal of the causative agent and reversal of the resulting changes. Much effort has been spent on the elucidation of the complex chemical changes of shock; but in any given case, it would appear that if any attempt to return the organism to the normal state is to be successful, a plentiful supply of oxygenated blood delivered to the tissues along with removal of waste metabolites (Spülfunktion) must of necessity be the aim. Much evidence seems to indicate that the myocardium as well as the peripheral circulatory tree is functionally deranged in the shock state, especially in hemorrhagic shock.
We have investigated the application of artificial perfusion to overcome the derangements of shock. The aims