Fig. 1From: Saline versus balanced solutions: are clinical trials comparing two crystalloid solutions really needed?The likely results from a hypothetical randomized clinical trial (RCT) comparing a saline solution with a balanced solution in critically ill patients. Scenario A: saline solutions are discontinued as soon as hyperchloremia appears, thus preventing the harmful effects of a further increase in chloremia and there will likely be no difference in outcomes in the two arms. Scenario B: the administration of saline solutions is continued despite the development of hyperchloremia and the saline group will have worse outcomes than the balanced groupBack to article page