Role of Balanced Salt Solution

Description

Crystalloids, such as saline or balanced salt solutions, are increasingly recommended as first-line resuscitation fluids for the majority of patients with hypovolaemia. Fluid requirements vary over the course of critical illness. The excessive use of fluids during the resuscitative period is associated with increased cumulative fluid balance and adverse outcomes in critically ill patients. Intravenous fluid therapy is a medicine like insulin, chemotherapy or antibiotics. Prescribing fluids should fit the patient  history and condition, consider the right dose at the right rate as well as the electrolyte levels and other laboratory variables. It is unlikely that a single type of fluid will be suitable for all patients. “Balanced” salt crystalloids, although more expensive, can  be preferred for volume resuscitation, maintenance and perioperatively. These solutions have shown no harmful effects in any particular patient population. Current literature supports use of balanced crystalloids over  NS. This presentation summarizes the comparison of balanced salt solution with different intravenous fluids and on the opportunities of hemodynamic monitoring to enable drawing conclusions for rational concepts of perioperative fluid and volume management. Also static and dynamic variables of fluid responsiveness is discussed in detail.