Intravenous Fluids and Hyperchloremia in Cardiac Surgery: Not the End of the Story?

THE CHLORIDE ion often has been treated like the middle child, receiving far less attention compared with its sodium and calcium counterparts; thus, it sometimes is referred to as the “forgotten” electrolyte.1 The recognition of saline-induced hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis,2 followed by the development of the Stewart approach to acid-base analysis,3 has yielded substantial research in the role of chloride as a strong ion. Recent evidence has identified hyperchloremia as a common biochemical finding in critically ill patients4 and as being associated with adverse outcomes such as renal dysfunction,5 coagulation disorders,6 splanchnic ischemia,7 and increased mortality.

Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - September 16, 2020 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Priscilla Hui Yi Phoon, Nian Chih Hwang Tags: Editorial Source Type: research