Hypertonic Saline

Hypertonic saline and stroke.

Cytotoxic brain edema—swelling of nerve and glial cells—is among the very early pathophysiologic sequelae of focal cerebral ischemia. Once cell swelling has exhausted the cerebral compliance, intracranial pressure increases and, thereby, causes secondary ischemia. Hypertonic solutions, mannitol in particular, have long been used to reduce intracranial pressure. More recently, hypertonic saline ...

Hypertonic saline for craniotomy?

IN this issue of ANESTHESIOLOGY, Rozet et al. present the findings of a comprehensive study comparing two hyperosmolar agents, hypertonic saline (HS) and mannitol, for brain relaxation during craniotomy. This work calls into question whether sufficient information is now available to advocate substitution of mannitol with HS to promote brain relaxation during routine craniotomy. It was discover...

Hypertonic Saline in Snake-Bite

transfusions. The constant bleeding, together with the constant replenishment by saline solution, must have acted by washing the toxin out of the tissues, as it were. The bleeding stopped as soon as the venom was sufficiently diluted. Calcium was therefore contraindicated, contrary to your suggestion in the footnote. The idea strikes me that it stands to reason to try to treat both colubrine an...

Hypertonic saline resuscitation in sepsis

The review by Oliveira and colleagues on the subject of hypertonic saline resuscitation in sepsis (included in the present issue) suggests possible benefits for hypertonic saline. There is a firm experimental basis for the actions of hypertonic saline/hyperoncotic solutions in hemorrhagic hypotension, which include expansion of blood volume, improvement in cardiac index, favorable modulation of...

ROC Hypertonic Saline Trial Title: Hypertonic Resuscitation following Traumatic Injury