Rational fluid management in today's ICU practice

Table 1 Commonly used intravenous crystalloid solutions

Crystalloid solution	Components (mEq in 1,000 ml)	pH	Osmolarity (mOsmol/l)	Cost ($/1,000 ml)
Lactated Ringer's/Hartmann's solution	Sodium 130, chlorine 109, potassium 4, calcium 3, lactate 28	6 to 7.5	273	0.94
Ringer's acetate	Sodium 130, chlorine 112, potassium 5.4, calcium 0.9, magnesium 1, acetate 27	5.1 to 5.9	276	^a
Normal saline	Sodium 154, chlorine 154	4.5 to 7	308	1.03
NormoSol-R, Plasma-Lyte A	Sodium 140, chlorine 98, potassium 5, magnesium 3, acetate 27, gluconate 23	7.4 (other pH formulations available)	295	2.21
Dextrose 5%, (variable concentrations available)	H₂O, dextrose	3.2 to 6.5	252	0.96

Approximate sales price in the United States listed in US$ for commonly used unit sizes. ^aNot readily available in the United States.

ISSN: 1364-8535