Acid-based disturbances due to perioperative fluid therapy with slightly alkalized and acid-based neutral balanced crystalloids: a comparative study

Abstract

The study aimed at comparing the effects of perioperatively administered balanced crystalloid infusion solutions, containing varied quantities of metabolizable anions, on homeostasis. In the prospective rand-omized open label study, patients were as-signed to Plasmalyte (PL) and Ringerfun-din (RF) Groups. The infusion solutions were parenterally administered at 1000 mL/6 hours. Arterialized capillary blood was sampled at the time of transfer to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (Time 0), and again at both 2 and 6 hours from Time 0. The collected blood was tested for blood gas parameters. A total of 112 patients were en-rolled in the study. There was no significant difference (P=0.329) in baseline pH values between the same-sized PL and RF Groups, with median pH values of 7.34 and 7.32, respectively. Similarly, no significant dif-ferences were seen in pH values measured after 2 hours (P=0.436), with median values of 7.38 for the PL Group and 7.37 for the RF Group. Finally, no significant differenc-es were observed after 6 hours (P=0.528), with median values of 7.41 and 7.40, re-spectively. Over time, pH values increased significantly in both groups (P≤0.001). There were no significant changes in either baseline base excess, actual bicarbonate, standard bicarbonate, partial pressure O2 and CO2 values, measured after 2 and 6 hours between the PL and RF Groups. The study failed to show differences between the balanced solutions Plasmalyte, in 5% glucose, and Ringerfundin, on the effects of pH and other acid-base parameters in pa-tients receiving postoperative care follow-ing elective surgery.