Hemodynamic responses to acute quadriplegia with or without chest trauma

Abstract

✓ This report describes the pathophysiology, as manifested by hemodynamic and blood volume determinations, in nine acutely quadriplegic patients studied in Vietnam. Four of the nine patients developed fulminating pulmonary edema while in the hospital and showed marked differences in the hemodynamic and blood volume data when compared with five patients who did not develop pulmonary edema. The unique hazard of excessive intravascular volume replacement in quadriplegic patients is documented, and effective diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are suggested. Related reports and physiological studies are discussed.