[Metabolic changes in the multiply injured. Biochemical studies in multiply injured patients with reference to the severity of the injury].

Leading physical sign of "trauma-disease" in polytraumatized patients is hypovolemic shock. Changes in metabolism have been described previously. At present there are no reports concerning the time at which these changes occur. The early posttraumatic phase is characterized by normosodiemia and initial transient hypopotassemia, which is based on the renin-angiotensin-mechanism. The metabolic acidosis depending on trauma causes decreased oxygen perfusion of tissue, which possibly is found even before alterations of circulation are detected. Already at the site of the accident hyperglycemia and hyperglucagonemia with normal values of insulin were found. The increase of blood glucose was correlated to the values of adrenalin and to the insulin antagonist glucagon. The catabolism of proteins closely related to the degree of trauma continued as long as 5 days after injury. Analysis of the blood clotting system showed that in the early phase after trauma there are changes in hemostatic potential consisting in hemostatic defect. In several essential points the early posttraumatic phase of metabolism is different from that in a later phase. These facts should be kept in mind if planning therapy.