ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) may improve hemostasis in congenital or acquired disorders of coagulation and reduce operative blood loss in patients undergoing surgical procedures. The effects of DDAVP on coagulation in hemorrhagic shock were studied in rabbits subjected to severe hemorrhage. METHODS: 20 rabbits were bled to shock and infused lactated Ringer's solution simultaneously so that the mean arterial pressure were maintained above 50 mmHg. Animals were randomly received DDAVP 0.3 ug/kg (group Dl), 3 ug/kg (group D10) or saline (group S) over 15 minutes. Bleeding time and factor VIII coagulant activity (FVIII:C) were measured before, after shock and 45 minutes after DDAVP or saline infusion. RESULTS: After shock, bleeding time was not changed but FVIII:C was decreased significantly in all groups. After saline or DDAVP infusion, bleeding time was not changed in group S and group Dl, whereas shortened in group D10 from 107.5+/-11.3 second to 87.5+/-17.5 second (P<0.05). After saline or DDAVP infusion, FVIII:C was decreased in group S and group Dl (P<0.05), but not changed in group D10. CONCLUSIONS: Infusion of DDAVP 3 ug/kg shortens bleeding time and causes an increase of FVIII:C than other groups in rabbits resuscitated from hemorrhagic shock.