IV Fluids

IV Fluids 

Written by – Dr Andrew Lam

0.9% Normal Saline

Components: Na (154mmol/L) and Cl (154mmol/L)

Distributes into extracellular fluid

Uses: Plasma volume expander, maintenance/resuscitation fluid

Preferred fluid in traumatic brain injury and upper GI losses (i.e. vomiting) 

Side Effects: Hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, osmotic demyelination syndrome

Hartmann’s

Components: Na, Cl, K, Ca, Lactate

Distributes into extracellular fluid

Uses: Plasma volume expander, maintenance/resuscitation fluid

Side Effects: Metabolic alkalosis, lactatemia in liver failure, hyperkalemia in renal failure

5% Glucose

Components: 50g Glucose in 1L 

Distributes into total body water

Uses: DKA/HHS protocols, Starvation Ketosis, Maintenance Fluid, Hypernatremia

Side Effects: Hyponatremia, Fluid overload

Albumin

Available as 4% Albumin or 20% Albumin

Remains in intravascular space more than above crystalloids

Uses: Liver Failure/Cirrhosis, Ascites drainage, Plasma expander, Burns

Side Effects: Anaphylaxis, Transmission of Parvovirus or Creutzfeldt Jakob disease

Contraindicated in traumatic brain injury