Fluid resuscitation with haemoglobin vesicles, RBCs, or 6%
hydroxyethyl starch
Following the initial infusion of 6% HES, rabbits were divided into
three groups based on the resuscitation fluid used. All rabbits received
isovolemic fluid resuscitation that was equivalent to the bleeding
volume every 5 min until 60 min or when the bleeding volume reached over
200 mL, which is almost equivalent to the circulation volume in a
rabbit26. In pregnancy, such a condition is a lethal
haemorrhagic shock class IV27. Resuscitative fluid
regimens included stored allogenic RBC with PPP (vol/vol=1:1, Hb
concentration of 11.9±1.6 g/dL) (RBC/PPP group, n =8) as a
positive control, 6% HES infusion (HES group, n =7) as a negative
control, and HbVs with 25% human serum albumin (vol/vol=4:1, Hb
concentration of 8.0 g/dL) (HbV group, n =10) (Figure 1C). After
fluid resuscitation, the rabbits underwent a surgical haemostatic
procedure via ligation of bleeding vessels, followed by caesarean
section to deliver the foetuses from the left side of the bicornate
uterus. Thereafter, the laparotomy incisions were closed, and the
rabbits were placed in a cage with laboratory diet and water and
monitored for survival for at least 12 h. Postoperative analgesia was
performed with intramuscular injections of buprenorphine (0.02 mg/kg)
after 12 h for euthanasia.