Haemorrhage

Haemorrhage/bleeding is [a]n abnormal escape of blood from an artery, a vein, an arteriole, a venule or a capillary network. Haemorrhage may occur into a body cavity or organ, into tissues such as muscles, or externally by way of a wound. Internal haemorrhage often causes a HAEMATOMA. Severe haemorrhage results in dangerous loss of circulating blood volume and there may be insufficient to supply the heart muscle and the brain. This is inevitably fatal unless a rapid transfusion of blood is given. Insufficient circulating fluid causes the syndrome of surgical SHOCK for which fluid replacement is urgently needed. This need not be whole blood; an infusion of salt water (saline) can save life.