Effects of traumatic hypovolemic shock on coronary blood flow and cardiac output in man

1. 1. Coronary blood flow and cardiac output determinations were carried out in sixteen patients in hypovolemic shock. 2. 2. Young patients with open bleeding wounds showed an increased coronary blood flow and cardiac output in hypovolemic shock shortly after the fluid replacement was initiated. Middle aged patients with closed wounds did not show significant deviation from normal under similar conditions. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed. 3. 3. A regulatory mechanism between coronary blood flow and cardiac output may exist. 4. 4. Additional investigations and application of various technics for further verification of the present findings appear timely.