Venous Return

Did you know: Why prop patient's leg upwards for First Aid (14th May 2009)


After witnessing a trauma with no emergency backup within 15 minutes, all persons are trained to assess the situation firstly and follow the shock treatment protocol.
One of these steps involve placing the patients leg on a pillow 8-10 inches above the level of the head.
Why?
To increase the venous return and thereby increase cardiac output and hence maintain blood flow to the brain and other vital organs.
During hemorrhagic shock, blood volume decreases and so the venous return decreases. After stopping blood leak, the next step is to supply enough blood to the heart to pump.