Changes Induced by the Infusion of Normal Saline in Arterial Blood Gas Analysis, Serum Electrolytes and Central Venous Pressure during Renal Transplantation / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The changes in acid-base balance and serum electrolytes after infusion of 0.9% normal saline during renal transplantation are poorly characterized. In this study, the relationships between the infusion of fluids and the changes in arterial blood gas analysis, serum electrolytes and central venous pressure during renal transplantation were determined. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients undergoing elective renal transplantation were divided into two groups: group I (n = 33) was made up of patients who received a living related renal transplantation, while group II (n = 34) was made up of those who received a living unrelated renal transplantation. Blood gas analysis, central venous pressure and serum electrolytes were evaluated just after the beginning of the operation, just before reperfusion (unclamping of the renal artery and vein), just after reperfusion and 20 minutes after arriving in the recovery room. RESULTS: pH, base excess, HCO3 and Na+ concentration were decreased, but PaCO2 was not changed during the operation. Central venous pressure and K+ concentrations were elevated during the operation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that 0.9% normal saline and mannitol leads to dilutional acidosis. If a lot of fluids are required during transplantation, we need to consider that 0.9% normal saline can aggravate acidosis in a renal transplantation patient.

Study of the Knowledge about Crystalloid Solutions in Medical Personnel: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The clinicians frequently use crystalloid solutions to manage inpatients and outpatients. Recently Normosol becomes available but there is little understanding of Normosol. So we surveyed residents to assess the level of knowledge about three crystalloid solutions. METHODS: The respondents were 46 residents of internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, and anesthesiology. The questionnaire asked for the following information: To list the constituents and their concentrations in each 1 litre of normal saline, Hartmann's solution, and Normosol; to match correct pH and osmolality to each solutions; to describe the metabolism and role of lactate in Hartmann's solution. RESULTS: All 46 (100%) knew that both sodium and chloride ions were present in normal saline. Twenty six (57%) of them knew correct concentration of sodium and chloride. The presence of sodium ion in Hartmann's solution was known by 44 (96%) and its concentration was recognized by 20 (43%). Chloride ion and potassium ion in Hartmann's solution were recognized by 43 (93%) and 42 (91%), respectively. Fifteen (33%) knew correct constituents of Hartmann's solution. Only three (7%) knew correct constituents and their concentration of Hartmann's solution. Thirty six (76%) knew that bicarbonate is formed by metabolism of lactate. No one accurately recorded the correct constituents of Normosol. CONCLUSIONS: The constituents and their concentrations of normal saline are well known to residents but those of Hartmann's solution and Normosol are not. Our survey reveals that there was little understanding of the reasons for including lactate in Hartmann's solution and even less of presence of acetate in Normosol.