Haemorrhagic shock therapy

Background: Severe injury is often associated with haemorrhagic shock and this is the most common cause of preventable mortality after injury. Care of the injured patient in shock involves an overlapping continuum of care beginning during the prehospital phase of care and extending through the interventional and critical care phases. Objective: This study aimed to review emerging therapies in the treatment of haemorrhagic shock. Methods: A review of recent clinical articles (1996 - 2007) examining therapeutic measures for haemorrhagic shock treatment was undertaken. Conclusions: Although the mainstay of therapy continues to be obtaining haemostasis and restoring tissue perfusion, a multitude of novel strategies are emerging, including advanced haemostatic agents, hypertonic resuscitation and massive transfusion protocols, as well as blood substitutes and an improved understanding of damage control principles, thereby allowing increased survival and improved outcomes in the severely injured patient with major haemorrhage.