Cardiovascular Function Tests Research Articles

THE EFFECTS OF INTRAVENOUS SOLUTIONS ON PATIENTS

The popularity of giving fluids intravenously is growing, and the benefits derived from them are generally well known. Through the investigations of many workers 1 the indications for the various solutions have been satisfactorily worked out, but the contraindications to their use, because of possible harmful side effects on the various systems of the body, have not been as well established. Clinical observations have convinced us that the use of fluids intravenously has been too promiscuous and has been responsible for serious complications. In this study we have attempted to determine the effect of different fluids on tests of cardiovascular function, particularly with reference to the ability of the cardiovascular system to accommodate the added fluids. It was our hope to be able to establish a simple method of forecasting the tolerance of the cardiovascular system for intravenous fluids, but this hope was not fulfilled. Elderly persons without heart disease