Beneficial effects of diltiazem in hemorrhagic shock.

The role of calcium channel blockade on metabolic alterations in a hemorrhagic shock model was studied. Experiments were performed on anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats to evaluate the effect of diltiazem on hyperglycemia and hyperlacticacidemia following hemorrhagic shock. Rats were bled rapidly to a blood pressure of 40 mm Hg and maintained at that level for 2 hr. At 30 min into hemorrhagic shock, rats received either saline or diltiazem (1.2 mg/kg, i.v.) as treatment. Blood samples were obtained preshock and at 30-min intervals. Plasma glucose and lactate increased significantly in both groups at 30 min. Diltiazem treatment significantly reduced the plasma glucose and heart rate during hemorrhagic shock (P less than 0.05). Plasma lactate increased similarly in both groups. Survival analysis indicates significant (P less than 0.05) improvement in the diltiazem-treated group. These data suggest that diltiazem has a beneficial effect in hemorrhagic shock in rats.