| Research Problem: The field of cardiovascular research has evolved significantly over the last decade, and yet cardiovascular related deaths remain a primary cause of trauma related death. Shock and resuscitation are topics of high importance in the field of emergency medicine due to the high mortality that they carry, which has not been properly addressed in the past decades. The development of better treatment options for this entity is essential.;Methods: 1) The vasoactive properties of intravenously infused keratin-derived compounds were assessed, with the use of cremaster muscle microvascular observations in the Sprague-Dawley rat. 2) After assessing feasibility for intravenous infusion in the microvascular model, hemodynamic and metabolic recovery after hemorrhage and resuscitation with commercially available crystalloids and keratin compounds was studied. Ultrasound dilution method was used to determine changes in cardiac index, stroke volume and circulating volumes. Femoral cannulation was used to determine changes in arterial blood pressure and heart rate. Arterial blood gases were measured to compare acid-base profile changes.;Conclusions: The initial keratin compounds tested in this research elicited an unexpected vasodilatory effect on the microvasculature of the cremaster muscle, which can be further developed for other uses. Further purification allowed the formulation of keratin compounds without vasodilatory effects, improved osmotic effects, and enhanced viscosity. These compounds are biocompatible colloids for resuscitation purposes. These enhancements will allow the use of this compound with lower volumes than the current gold standard and significantly reduce complications. |
